Facing the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds is never an easy task. Playing them at Zorn Arena is even tougher. And the challenge proved to be too difficult for the UW-Superior women's basketball team Wednesday evening.
Despite a game-high 28 points from Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders), the Blugolds had three players score in double-figures and held on to down the Yellowjackets 64-59 in Eau Claire.
The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Yellowjackets, who dropped to 15-6 overall and 9-3 in WIAC conference action. UW-Eau Claire meanwhile improved to 12-8 overall and 7-4 in league play.
UW-Eau Claire started fast in the opening minutes, jumping out to a 17-8 lead after a jump shot by Kristin Sahr with 13:00 remaining in the first half.
Four straight points from Linzmeier brought UW-Superior to within 17-13 before Teenie Lichtfuss connected on a three-pointer and two straight free throws to up the margin to 26-15 at the 6:08 mark of the opening frame.
UW-Eau Claire continued to lead by double-figures until consecutive three-point shots from Allyssa Lindberg (Marquette, Mich./Marquette) and Dana Karlstad (Eleva, Wis./Eleva-Strum) in the final 1:49 trimmed the deficit to 33-28 at the intermission.
The Yellowjackets continued their burst early in the second half when Brynn Liljander (Isanti, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) knocked down a three and Linzmeier converted a layup and free throw to give UW-Superior a 34-33 edge with 17:48 remaining in regulation.
But the Blugolds went on a 13-1 run over the next four minutes to take a 46-36 cushion after a layup by Abby Midtlien with 13:48 left in the second half.
With the score 52-44, UW-Superior scored eight straight points behind another three by Liljander, a three-point play by Linzmeier and a jumper by Grace Kennedy (Wausau, Wis./Newman Catholic) to even matters 52-52 with 6:17 remaining on the clock.
UW-Eau Claire took the lead for good however with 4:47 left on two free throws by Courtney Lewis before two more foul shots from Ellen Blacklock gave the Blugolds a 56-52 cushion at the 4:23 mark.
The Yellowjackets never got closer than two points the rest of the way as UW-Eau Claire connected on 17-of-18 free throws for the game.
Along with Linzmeier's 28 points, UW-Superior got nine points from Liljander and seven points from Carmen Watson (Milwaukee, Wis./James Madison).
Lichtfuss finished with 16 points for the Blugolds.
UW-Superior returns home to face UW-LaCrosse on Saturday. Opening tipoff from the Mertz is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game can be heard on tape-delay starting at 5 p.m. on 91.3 FM with Matt Johnson on the call.
UW-Eau Claire Holds On Late, Upends UW-Superior
UW-Superior
59
UW-Eau Claire
64
Final | 1 | 2 | T |
---|---|---|---|
UW-Superior (15-5) | 28 | 31 | 59 |
UW-Eau Claire (11-8) | 33 | 31 | 64 |
Feb 04, 2015