EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Minnesota Morris women's basketball team fell to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, 84–73, Saturday afternoon in Eau Claire, Wis. Junior Maddy Grove led the Cougars with 29 points.
 
The Blugolds move to 6-1 overall as the Cougars fall to 2-7.
 
Grace Perry opened the scoring with a deep three, and on the defensive end the Cougars forced a turnover on a jump ball. Grove added to the early run with a midrange jumper, and Claire Stark blocked a Blugold shot. UW–Eau Claire got on the board after going one-for-two at the free throw line. The Blugolds then cut the lead to 7-6 after five quick points, and the run continued as UWEC scored five more. Shelby Mortenson ended the rally with a layup in the paint and completed the three-point play to cut the deficit to one. Anna Myers tied the game at 13-13 with a driving layup. The Blugolds began to pull away, but Myers brought UMM within one with a three-pointer. In the final minute, Myers found Grove to put the Cougars back on top. A free throw and layup by the Blugolds gave them a 22-20 lead at the end of the first.
 
The Blugolds pushed the lead to seven to start the second quarter, but Grove made the first Cougar bucket to chip away at the deficit. UW–Eau Claire continued to score, extending its lead to nine three minutes into the quarter. Midway through the period, the teams traded points with UWEC maintaining control. Gianna Klarenbeek knocked down her first three-pointer to bring the Cougars within six, and Grove followed with a pair of free throws. Brooke Ver Steeg matched an UWEC three-pointer to keep pace. Another Blugold run put UWEC up 52-44 entering halftime.
 
UW–Eau Claire opened the second half with four straight points before Mortenson got UMM on the board with two free throws. Grove scored the next four Cougar points to make it 56-50. After an UWEC basket, Grove responded with a three-point play to pull within five. Itzel Salazar kept the deficit at five with two made free throws. Grove added a layup, and Perry blocked a shot on the other end. The Blugolds closed the quarter with three points to take a 65-59 lead into the fourth.
 
The start of the fourth quarter was back-and-forth as both teams traded baskets. Klarenbeek found Mortenson in the post for a layup to keep the margin at six, and the duo connected again moments later to make it 72-68. However, the Blugolds began to pull away with a nine-point run. Grove ended the stretch with a midrange jumper. Klarenbeek hit a late three-pointer, but the Blugolds answered immediately to seal the 84-73 final.
 
Grove delivered another impressive scoring performance, leading all players with 29 points on 13-of-21 shooting while going 3-for-3 at the free throw line. Mortenson added 13 points, while Klarenbeek and Myers each reached double figures with 10 points apiece. Klarenbeek also paced the team with four assists.
 
Both teams recorded 42 rebounds, but the Blugolds held a 18-7 advantage in steals. Perry led UMM with 11 rebounds, while Mortenson secured her second consecutive double-double with 10 boards. Grove recorded a team-high three steals, and Perry contributed two of the team's four blocks.
 
The Cougars return home on Monday for a 5:30 p.m. game against (RV) Concordia College.