By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team lost their home opener to Simpson College (Iowa) Friday night, 84-63.

Box Score

Eau Claire fell behind early in the first quarter but clawed back to make it 27-18 at the end of the period. Anna Graaskamp (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) was 4-5 from the field during the quarter, while Katie Essen (Jr.-Rosemount, MN) added seven points.

Neither team really took control of the second quarter with the deficit remaining at nine at halftime. Graaskamp was again an important source of offense for the Blugolds, posting six points during the quarter. She led all scorers at the intermission, with 14 points entering the break.

Despite two threes from Hallee Hoeppner (Sr.-Winona, MN) in the third, Simpson opened the lead to 15 by the end of the quarter. Eau Claire couldn't close the gap during the final ten minutes, despite Hoeppner scoring five points and tallying four boards.

Graaskamp and Hoeppner were the leading scorers for Eau Claire, with 19 from Graaskamp and 18 from Hoeppner. Hoeppner scored in a variety of ways, hitting those two threes and hitting six free throws. She also led Eau Claire with eight rebounds and forced turnovers, with three steals.

The loss drops the Blugolds to 1-2 overall, but they hope to get back on track tomorrow as they return to Zorn Arena to square off against Wartburg College (Iowa). Things will get going at 5 PM.

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