EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin–Stout women's basketball team showed resilience down the stretch, mounting a fourth-quarter push to get back within striking distance, but UW–Eau Claire held on for a 77–60 win Wednesday night at the Sonnentag Event Center.
After a slow start offensively, the Blue Devils began to find rhythm in the second quarter, sparked by strong interior play from Maraya Wiltrout and a timely three from Addy Verhagen that helped cut into the Blugolds' early advantage. Stout trimmed the deficit to single digits at the break and carried that momentum into the second half.
UW–Eau Claire answered with a run early in the third, but the Blue Devils refused to fade. A steal and fast-break finish by Addy Verhagen stopped the momentum, while Eleice Dahl followed with a tough bucket in the paint to keep Stout within reach heading to the fourth.
The Blue Devils made their biggest push in the final period, using aggressive drives and trips to the free-throw line to chip away at the deficit. Back-to-back scores from Maraya Wiltrout and Mary Berg brought Stout within striking distance, forcing Eau Claire to burn a timeout. Despite the late surge, the Blugolds converted from the line and hit timely shots to close out the game.
Wiltrout led the Blue Devils with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Verhagen added 14 points, seven assists, and two steals. Dahl chipped in 13 points and five rebounds, and Berg finished with eight points while helping anchor the offense during Stout's late run.
By the Numbers
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16 – Points by Maraya Wiltrout to lead Stout
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7 – Assists from Addy Verhagen
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33 – Total rebounds for the Blue Devils
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17 – Points scored off turnovers by Stout
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11 – Fast-break points generated by the Blue Devils
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9 – Free throws made by Stout in the fourth quarter
Up Next
UW–Stout returns home on Wednesday, Feb. 4, hosting UW–Stevens Point at 7 p.m. in the Johnson Fieldhouse
