EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team hosted began Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday for a top-20 matchup at Zorn Arena. The no. 11 ranked Blugolds hosted the no. 20 ranked UW-Oshkosh Titans in a rematch of the 2019 WIAC Tournament Championship. A strong defensive start by the Blugolds kept the Titans at bay and earned them a 70-57 victory at home.
That strong defending, paired with a 10% shooting percentage from the visitors, helped UWEC take control in the opening quarter. The home squad never gave up the lead as they outscored their opponents 35-25 in the first 20 minutes. Jessie Ruden (Jr. – Rochester, MN/John Marshall) dropped all nine of her first half points in the second quarter with two three-pointers and three free throws.
Both teams battled in the paint all evening with a total of 52 points scored in the lane, with Eau Claire holding the 28-24 advantage. The Blugolds also outrebounded the Titans by grabbing 27 (4 off., 23 def.) of the 50 boards falling. Ruden and Tyra Boettcher (Sr. – Menomonie, WI) each had six rebounds apiece.
The second half showcased the offensive power of both teams. Bailey Reardon (Jr. – River Falls, WI) found success in the third quarter as she tallied nine of her game total 18 points right after halftime. With 6:11 left in quarter number three, Reardon had her own 6-0 out of a timeout to increase the lead to 49-29. UWO answered with their own layup, but Jessie Ruden pushed the team to their biggest lead with an unassisted three-pointer, making it 52-31.
In the final ten minutes, the Blugolds faced the Titans' biggest scoring run of the evening as the visitors rattled off an 8-0 run to close the deficit to 59-52. UWEC powered back with 11 points down the stretch that included a three-pointer from both Ellie Clayton (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/Farmington) and a clutch layup and free throw from Courtney Crouch (Jr. – White Bear Lake, MN).
With a team total of 17 assists and a season high 12 three-pointers, UW-Eau Claire wins their seventh straight and begin WIAC play with a 1-0 record.
The Blugolds (7-0, WIAC 1-0) will return home and to WIAC play on Saturday, December 4th when they host UW-Stevens Point for a 5PM tipoff.
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