EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – With a 76-38 win over UW-Superior tonight at Zorn Arena, the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team improved to 4-0 in conference play heading into a two-week break.

The Blugolds, who have now won five straight games, jumped out to the initial lead and built a 12-2 advantage over the first three minutes. The Blugolds steadily increased their lead in the first half and took a 22-point lead at halftime (40-18).

In the second half, the Blugolds reached their largest lead of 38 points at the end of the game after finishing on a 10-0 run.

The Blugolds shot well tonight, 51.9 percent (28-for-54). In the second half they hit 53.8 percent of their shots while nailing 50 percent in the opening half. Superior struggled from the field, finishing with a 23.2 percentage (13-for-56). The Yellowjackets hit only 19.4 percent of their shots in the first half but improved to 28 percent in the second half.

Both teams struggled with turnovers the entire night as the Blugolds had 23 turnovers and Superior had 21. Eau Claire outrebounded Superior 45-35.

Ellen Plendl (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) finished the game with a double-double, scoring 14 points while pulling down 13 rebounds. She also had four blocks and two assists. Callie Halama (Sr.-Independence, Wis.) led the team with 15 points.

The Blugolds improve to 8-2 on the season and 4-0 in conference play. Superior drops to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference. Eau Claire hasn't lost to Superior since 1987, improving its winning streak over the Yellowjackets to 49 straight. The last time the Blugolds opened conference with a 4-0 record was during the 2008-09 season.

Next, the Blugolds will head to Texas for three games over four days. Their first game is set for Wednesday, Dec. 28 against Trinity (Texas) at the Southwestern Tournament in Georgetown, Texas.

-KM-