EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team fell to Simpson College 77-73 on Saturday at the Market & Johnson Blugold Tip-Off Tournament at the Sonnentag Event Center. The Blugolds led by as much as 13 in the second half, but the Storm surged back to win the first-ever college basketball game played at The Sonnentag.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blugolds (0-1) came out firing, shooting better than 50% in the first half to build a 10-point halftime lead. Reanna Hutchinson (Jr. - Eau Claire, Wis./North) led the charge, pouring in 18 points in the first half in her Blugold debut.
- A high-scoring first quarter saw Simpson lead 23-22 entering the second. The Blugolds made their push in the second quarter though, outscoring the Storm 24-13 in the period. Hutchinson scored 10 in the quarter. An 8-0 run that featured back-to-back 3-pointers from Hutchinson and Kyla Overskei (Jr. - Maple Grove, Minn.) helped put the Blugolds in front.
- UW-Eau Claire led 46-36 at halftime.
- The Blugolds' lead grew to 13 midway through the third quarter, and it sat at 63-54 heading into the final quarter.
- Simpson (1-0) erased the deficit with an 11-0 run to take the lead with four minutes left. A layup by Hutchinson with 55 seconds remaining tied the game at 73, but Simpson scored the final four points of the game to send the Blugolds to defeat.
- Hutchinson finished with 30 points and five rebounds. Overskei added 12 points and five rebounds. Jessilyn Ernst (So. - Pardeeville, Wis.) chipped in with nine points and three rebounds.
- UW-Eau Claire shot 46% from the floor and 40% from 3-point range.
UP NEXT
The Blugolds will wrap up the Market & Johnson Blugold Tip-Off Tournament with a game against No. 11 Gustavus Adolphus College on Sunday, November 10. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. at the Sonnentag Event Center.
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