The Yellowjacket women's basketball team hit the road on Wednesday night, playing their second-to-last game of the 2010-11 season, and looking to snap a four-game conference losing streak. UW-Eau Claire had other ideas.
After falling behind 5-0 in first two minutes, the Blugolds battled back and eventually took an eight-point lead at 24-16. The Yellowjackets, however, would go on a 10-2 run, fueled almost exclusively by Hailey Hart (Osseo, Wis.) and tie the game at 26-26 with just under seven minutes to play. But that was as close as the Yellowjackets would come to retaking the lead. The Blugolds outscored the Yellowjackets 7-2 over the final seven minutes and led 33-28 at the half.
Hart had a monster first half, knocking down half of the Yellowjackets' points, scoring 14 in just 15 minutes. She also had two rebounds, an assist and two steals in the first half.
Hart would hit a layup in the first minute of the second half to pull the Yellowjackets to within three at 33-30, but the Blugolds would head off on an 11-4 run to stretch their lead to ten, 44-34, with 13:46 to play. The lead would hit as many as 19 points, which it did on two occasions in the second half, before the Yellowjackets narrowed the gap, pulling to within ten at 72-62 with just under one minute to play.
Hart would lead the charge for the Yellowjackets, finishing with 24 points, shooting 10-11 from the field. The total ties her season-high, which was set against Platteville on December 4. It's the fifth time in 2010-11 that Hart has scored 20-or more points. Connie Urmanski (Edgar, Wis.) also hit double figures with 17 points.
Bri Davis (Hermantown, Minn.) had six rebounds, while Urmanski had five defensive boards. Kelsey Thingvold (Crystal, Minn.) and Britnee Blake (Superior, Wis.) had three assists apiece. Hart and Urmanski tied for the team lead with two steals each.
Hannah Mesick led the Blugolds with 17 points, while Callie Halama was right behind her with 16. Five Blugolds scored in double-figures. Mesick also had a game-high eight rebounds.