SHERMAN, Tex. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball wrapped up their Texas road trip on Friday with a matchup against Austin College. Jessie Ruden (Jr. – Rochester, MN/John Marshall) recorded her second double-double of the road trip to lead the Blugolds to a 69-45 over the Roos.
Both teams traded three-point buckets to start the first quarter. Eau Claire's defense locked things down as the Blugolds went on a 12-3 run in the opening six minutes to mount a 15-6 lead. That lead never wavered throughout the rest of the game. Courtney Crouch (Jr. – White Bear Lake, MN) helped UWEC outscore Austin 20-13 in the first quarter with 11 points. Crouch finished the game with a season high 18 points.
Jessie Ruden took over after the first by scoring seven points in each of the following quarters for a game total of 24 points. This was the 12th game in a row Ruden has hit double digit points this season. Along with the scoring, Ruden controlled the glass with a season high 11 rebounds (3 off., 8 def.). Ruden's double-double was just her second of the seaon. UWEC outrebounded the Roos 56-32 during the afternoon contest.
With a 41-30 lead at the half, the Blugolds kept things rolling and kept Austin to just 15 points in the final 20 minutes. A total of 17 Blugolds found minutes during the game.
The Blugolds (11-2, WIAC 2-0) will travel home over the weekend and jump back into Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play on Wednesday, January 5th. Eau Claire will take on UW-Platteville on the road at 7PM.
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