ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeated Bethel (Minn.) 76-62 on Saturday to earn its first victory of the season. The Blugolds pulled away with strong second and third quarters, using a well-rounded performance to knock off the Royals.
Kyla Overskei (So. – Maple Grove, Minn.) had a career game for the Blugolds (1-2), setting a new career best with 22 points.
Kylie Strop (Jr. – River Falls, Wis.) was a huge contributor too, finishing just shy of a double-double with 19 points and nine assists. Overall, the Blugolds had four players score in double figures.
The Blugolds got out to a good start with help from Overskei, who poured in seven points in the opening quarter. There wasn't quite enough to separate the two teams in the first period though, with neither side leading by more than five points. The Blugolds were ahead 17-15 at the first quarter break.
UW-Eau Claire started to really pull ahead in the second quarter, where it outscored Bethel (0-1) 22-13. The Blugolds used a 12-3 run across the first five and a half minutes of the period to go ahead 31-20, with back-to-back 3-pointers from Overskei capping the stretch. UW-Eau Claire maintained a sizeable lead the rest of the half and entered halftime ahead 39-28. Overskei had 13 points in the first half and Strop and
Olivia Pekron (Jr. – Forest Lake, Minn.) added eight apiece.
The Blugolds' advantage continued to balloon in the third quarter. The lead climbed to as high as 16 points in the third as UW-Eau Claire found more and more separation from the Royals. UW-Eau Claire outscored Bethel 21-16 in the third. Strop and Overskei scored six points each in the period, and Pekron added four.
The Royals managed to claw back a bit in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too much for them to overcome. The Blugolds held on to clinch their first win of the season.
Pekron finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Kylie Mogen (Sr. – Menomonie, Wis.) had 12 points and six boards.
UW-Eau Claire shot 59% from the field and 46% from 3-point range. The Blugolds nabbed seven steals and had two blocks, and won the rebounding battle 34-25.
The Blugolds return to the court on Tuesday, Nov. 21, when they visit St. Norbert College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. in De Pere, Wis.
