By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeated UW-Stout on Wednesday night, 78-71. The victory extends their winning streak to three games.
Eau Claire took the first quarter, going into the initial break up 18-16. They had a balanced offense in the period, with four different Blugolds getting in the scoring column.
The offense would continue its hot shooting into the second, scoring 24 points in the quarter. The Blugolds went into the halftime break with a commanding 42-27 lead.
Jade Ganski (Fr.-Rothschild, WI/Newman Catholic), Katie Essen (Sr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount) and Maizie Deihl (Sr.-New Prague, MN) led the way in the first half, with all three scoring eight points.
Despite strong shooting numbers from UWEC the rest of the way, the game would tighten in the second half. They would go into the final quarter with a nine-point lead over the Blue Devils.
Stout would trim the lead down to just four with a couple minutes remaining, but Deihl nailed a dagger three-pointer. She would later clinch the game at the free throw line down the stretch, with help from Jessie Ruden (So.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall).
The Blugold offense shot 44% from the field on the night, but it was once again their defense that fueled the victory. In addition to forcing 22 turnovers, they also blocked eight shots with five coming from Ganski.
Essen led all players with 23 points, while adding seven rebounds. Deihl had 17 of her own and Ruden had 14.
The Blugolds will have a chance to sweep the series, going back on the road at UW-Stout. That game will be this Friday, February 12th and will tip off at 7 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
