Yaeger scores a career best in loss to Eagles

UW-La Crosse 67, UW-Stout 59

LA CROSSE (February 17, 2021) - Haylee Yaeger scored a career-best 20 points, 12 in the second half, but it couldn't push UW-Stout over the top as the Blue Devils lost a 67-59 decision on the road Wednesday.

Stout (2-3, 2-3 WIAC) led only once in the game and that came at the midway point as the Blue Devils overcame a seven point deficit to go up 10-9 with 4:43 left in the quarter. The Eagles (2-3, 2-3 WIAC) took the lead back on a 3-pointer by Emma Gamoke and Erin O'Brien tied the scored at 12 with 3:01 remaining in the quarter. La Crosse led 17-13 at the break.

The Eagles built up a 10 points lead three minutes into the second period, and again Stout cut the lead, this time down to one point, 29-28, with 33 seconds left in the half. The Eagles carried a 31-28 lead into halftime.

Yaeger pulled Stout to within one points, 31-30, but making the opening bucket of the second half and again the Eagles soared off, this time to take a double-digit lead late in the period, leading by nine to close out the third. The Blue Devils pulled to within six points, 52-43, on a Tess Johnson 3-pointer, only to see the EAgles build up a 13 point, 56-43 lead at 7:16. The closest Stout would get the rest of the way was seven points late in the game.

Yaeger led all scorers by hitting 10 of 16 shots. In addition to her 10 rebounds, she had a blocked shot and two assists. Freshman Anna Mutch tossed in 14 points, matching her collegiate-high.

The Eagles got 18 points from Alana Gilles and 17 from Emma Gamoke. Gilles hit a double-double with 10 rebounds. 

Stout shot 39.7 percent (23-58) from the field. The Eagles shot 40.0 percent (22-55) from the floor. Stout held a 39-37 edge in rebounds.

The teams will meet again Friday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at Johnson Fieldhouse.