River Forest, Ill. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's basketball team opened its 2021-22 season with a 71-36 win at Concordia University Chicago (Ill.) Saturday afternoon in Geiseman Gymnasium. The Cougars were also playing their season-opener. 

UWL never trailed in Saturday's game, scoring the first 15 points. Concordia-Chicago (Ill.) missed its first eight shots from the field before scoring with 2:19 left in the opening quarter on a Josey Kahla jumper. UWL led, 19-9, after the opening quarter shooting 53.3% (eight-of-15) from the field. 

The Cougars cut the deficit to 19-11 on a pair of free throws with 9:37 remaining in the second quarter from Ava Gardner, but could get no closer the rest of the game. The Eagles went on a 10-0 run to lead 29-11 on a pair of Alana Gilles free throws. UWL took a 35-13 lead with 1:40 left in the first half on a Gilles' layup and led, 35-17, at halftime. 

UWL led, 50-23, after three quarters and won by its largest margin of the game at 35 points. 

UWL shot 45.8% from the field, including 12.5% (two-of-16) from three-point range, and 75.0% (15-of-20) at the free throw line. Gilles led UWL with 14 points, going six-of-seven from the field and two-of-two at the line. Emma Gamoke finished with 13 points and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds with Julia Seidel. Lauryn Milne and Nikki Dienberg each scored 10 points for the Eagles as 14 different players scored in the game. 

Concordia-Chicago (Ill.) shot 27.7% from the field, including 11.1% (two-of-18) from three-point range, and 57.1% (eight-of-14) at the line. Jaylene Wade led the Cougars with 12 points and five rebounds while Gardner totaled 10 points. Alisyn MacGregor also had five rebounds. 

UWL returns to action Friday, November 12 at the Wisconsin Lutheran College Paul F. Knueppel Classic. The Eagles face Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.) at 5 p.m.