DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque Spartans women's basketball team improved to 2-1 overall on Wednesday night with a 77-60 victory over the UW-La Crosse Eagles on Jon Davison Court in Stoltz Sports Center. UD's defense forced the visiting Eagles into committing 30 turnovers and providing UW-L their first loss of the season.

Senior Kayla Springer led all scorers in the opening half of action with 12 points and five steals. Springer would be part of 13 steals and 17 turnovers by UW-L. The Spartans trailed in rebounding 18-21, but took advanatge of the turnovers by scoring 15 points off the Eagle miscues. The Spartans stretched out an early lead to 10 points before fallling behind as much as five points before capturing the lead at the break 33-32.

The Spartans returned to the court for the second half and would continue to pressure the Eagles and  extend their lead to the largest in the game as time expired. UD sank 15-29 shot attempts (51.7%), helped by quick passes in the paint leading to lay-ups in the final 20 minutes of play. Jenna Kotas would lead all scorers with game high 16 points. She finished sinking 7-14 shots in the game and grabbed seven rebounds. The starting duo of Jessica Gietz and Springer would both finish with 14 points. Springer led with six of the of the Spartans 20 steals. Emily Brinker added 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench to help UD improve to 2-1 overall.

The Spartans scored 44 of their 77 points in the paint, scored 32 points off Eagle turnovers, and led for 35:42 of the 40 minutes played.