by La Crosse, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women’s basketball team knocked off nationally ranked #23 Concordia Moorhead College (Minn.) 62-58 on day one of the Gundersen Hotel & Suites Thanksgiving Classic Saturday night.
- The Eagles got off to a very slow start as they shot one-of-15 (6.67%) from the floor and were held to just five points in the first quarter. UWL trailed 14-5 after one period as Concordia Moorhead did not shoot well either as they were just three-of-16 (18.75%) from the floor.
- The Cobbers would get a three-pointer from Jordyn Kahler to take its largest lead 17-5 (9:04) of the first half. The Eagles would finally start to hit some shots as they cut their deficit to 22-16 (5:55) on a three-pointer by Katie Waukau. After Concordia Moorhead took a 25-16 lead (2:36), UWL scored the final eight points of the half to trail 25-24 at the intermission. Kailee Meeker would hit a three-pointer with :05 left in the half.
- Concordia Moorhead scored the first six points of the third quarter to lead 31-24 but UWL would pull within 37-36 with 2:57 on the clock. UWL would not gain the lead at all in the third quarter as they trailed 45-41 going into the fourth.
- Alexa Snesrud would give the Cobbers a 48-41 lead early in the fourth quarter on a three-pointer before a Malia Nelson jumper followed by Waukau three-pointer would make it 48-46 with 8:51 remaining. Back-to-back three-pointers for Concordia Moorhead would extend their lead back to 54-46 before UWL scored eight unanswered to tie the game at 54 with 2:35 remaining. Two Carlee Sieben free throws would put the Cobbers up 58-56; however, UWL would get a jumper by Grace Knupp and two free throws from Nelson to give the Eagles its first lead (58-56) of the game (:37). After UWL would take a 59-56 lead on a free throw by Knupp, Concordia Moorhead got two free throws by Sieben to make it 59-58 with :17 left. Lauryn Milne would hit three-of-four free throws to seal the win for the Eagles as the Cobbers would not score again.
