EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team suffered a 66-45 defeat to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as non-conference play continued on Tuesday night. The loss drops the Cougars to 0-3 early on in the season.

The opening minute of the game was all UW-Eau Claire and it set the tone for the night. The Blugolds scored after winning the opening tap and then knocked down threes on each of their next two trips down the floor to take an 8-0 lead after just 60 seconds of play. Malory Anderson got Minnesota Morris on the board three minutes into the contest, but a 7-0 run for UW-Eau Claire followed, making it 15-3 as the opening quarter approached two minutes remaining. A pair of Reece Wassink field goals and a three-pointer from Anderson brought the Cougars to within 17-10 at the end of the period.

Minnesota Morris made runs at UW-Eau Claire twice in the second quarter. A three-pointer from Grace Olson two minutes into the second quarter made it 19-16 and a three from Jadyn Sondrol midway through the quarter had the Cougars within four at 25-21. However, the Blugolds responded to the challenge with a 14-0 run that didn't end until a late three-point from Anderson for a 39-24 halftime advantage.

The closest Minnesota Morris would get the rest of the way was on a pair of Sondrol free throws to make it 42-29. UW-Eau Claire grew the lead to 20 points before the third quarter was through and then applied the clamps on the defensive end in the fourth quarter to seal it. 

Anderson finished with 15 points and was joined in double-figures by Sondrol, who ended with 11 on the night. 

Minnesota Morris is in Northfield, Minn. tomorrow night to take on St. Olaf College beginning at 5 p.m.