DECATUR, IL - The UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team was defeated today 77-56 by the defending Division III National Champions and No.1-ranked Millikin University in the final game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament.

The Blugolds struggled from the field shooting under 30% for the game. The Big Blue, on the other hand, shot 50% for the game.

In a physical start to the game, the Blugolds hung early with the defending champs. Millikin had a seven-point lead diminished when the Blugolds' Michelle Burns (So.-Eau Claire, WI/North) connected on a three-pointer to tie the game with 13:15 remaining in the first half. The Blugolds would then take their only lead of the game on a Brooke Hakanson (Fr.-Wheeler, WI/Boyceville) three-pointer with 12:39 remaining in the first half. However, Millikin would then go on an 8-0 run and the Big Blue went into halftime with a 37-30 lead.

The Blugolds were held scoreless for the first six minutes of the second half as the Big Blue went on a 12-0 run to extend the lead to 49-30. The Big Blue would not look back and go onto win 77-56.

Liz Van Drasek (Sr.-Albertville, MN/St. Michael-Albertville) and Michelle Burns each had 11 points to lead the Blugolds. Van Drasek was 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Burns went 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Rachel Becker (Sr.-Gilmanton, WI) added 10 points and led the Blugolds in rebounds with eight and assists with six.

Brittanni Hakanson (Fr.-Wheeler, WI/Boyceville) and Michelle Burns were each named to the All-Tournament Team. Burns averaged 14.5 points per game in the tournament, while Brittanni Hakanson scored 20 points in her first collegiate game to lead the Blugolds to a 77-55 win over Webster University on Saturday.

The loss drops the Blugolds to 1-1 on the season, while the Big Blue improves to 2-0.

Up next the Blugolds will travel to play St. Norbert College Tuesday night. The action gets underway at 5:30 p.m.

Eau Claire-Millikin box score

- JR -