MENOMONIE - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team shot a season-low 28.3 percent from the field in losing to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival UW-Stout 75-58 here tonight at Johnson Fieldhouse.

Stout controlled most of the game leading by no less than 12 points in the second half and by as much as 22. The Blue Devils held a noticeable advantage inside outrebounding the Blugolds 48-38 and forcing Eau Claire to attempt 30 three pointers.

The Blugolds came out firing following the opening tip hitting eight of their first nine shots from the floor in building a 17-5 lead. Katie Murphy (Sr.-La Crosse/Aquinas) scored eight points during the run while Michelle Burns (Fr.-Eau Claire/Memorial) scored six.

The Eau Claire offense struggled after the hot start scoring only eight points in the final 14 minutes of the first half. The Blugolds hit only three of their final 20 shots of the half. Stout closed the opening half on a 36-8 run to take a 41-25 lead into halftime.

Rachel Becker (Jr.-Gilmanton) led Eau Claire with 16 points while Murphy added 14. Burns led the Blugolds with nine rebounds.

Eau Claire falls to 3-4 in the WIAC and 10-6 overall with the loss. Stout improves to 4-3 in conference play and 11-5 overall with the win.

The Blugolds will be in action next when they host UW-River Falls Wednesday at Zorn Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-Stout Box Score

- JL -