UW-Eau Claire 71, UW-Superior 55

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (November 17, 2017) – Superior suffered their first loss of 2017-18 in a matchup with the host UW-Eau Claire Blugolds in the UW-Eau Claire Tip-Off Classic.

Superior started strong, as Amelia Leger (Andover, Minn./Andover) drained a 3-pointer on a pass from Hailey Kontny (Superior, Wis./Superior) to take a 3-2 lead. She would then drain a second a minute later to go up 6-4 on the Blugolds. The back-and-forth play would continue throughout the first period, as Emily Carpenter (St. Peter, Minn./St. Peter) added a three of her own to end the period 22-14, down by eight.

The Yellowjackets would climb back in the second, coming within one point twice. First, Justine Larson (Stanchfield, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) would hit a 2-point jumper, assisted by Tayler Kane, and then Kane would add two of her own, assisted by Leger at 26-25. Kontny would get a jumper with 22 seconds remaining to end the half down four, 31-27.

The third started out in a similar way, Superior came within five points on two Kontny free throws, but the Blugolds would open up a run to take a 14-point lead going into the fourth, 56-42.

Thirteen more points were added in the fourth quarter by Superior, including free throws from Eva Reinertsen (Duluth, Minn./Homeschooled), Morgan Anderson (Savage, Minn./Prior Lake), and Etta Sorenson (Clintonville, Wis./Clintonville), but to no avail, as the 'Jackets fell 71-55.

Kontny scored 12 for the Yellowjackets, while Leger had 10 of her own. Superior once again out rebounded their opponent, 39-36 respectively, but was only able to hit 32 percent of their shots.

Eau Claire's Anna Grasskamp led all scorers with 26 points.

Superior will face another WIAC opponent tomorrow afternoon, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m. as they take on the UW-Stout Blue Devils.