LA CROSSE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team hit the road on Saturday as they continued Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play at UW-La Crosse. After a competitive and tight first half, the Blugolds held on to their lead for a 53-48 win.
Courtney Crouch (Jr. – White Bear Lake, MN) and Jessie Ruden (Jr. – Rochester, MN/John Marshall) started things off for UW-Eau Claire as they combined for 11 of the team's 17 points to open the game. Ellie Clayton (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/Farmington) did her part on the defensive end with four of her nine total rebounds in the first quarter. With a six-point run by the Blugolds in the final minutes, UWEC held a 17-13 lead after ten minutes of play. The following frame tilted in the home team's favor as the Eagles had their best shooting period (40%) of the game. A five-point run by UWL just before halftime closed Eau Claire's lead to 31-29.
The second half started with a big third quarter from UWEC as the visitors put together a 10-0 run to extend their lead with 1:29 left in the period. With Clayton's continued success rate on defense, she transitioned that play to scoring by tallying seven of her 11 total points in the third.
The final quarter featured a defensive battle between the two squads as the Blugolds kept the Eagles under ten points. Kylie Mogen (So. – Menomonie, WI) sealed the game with two free throws in the closing seconds, giving UWEC the 53-48.
The Blugolds (12-4-0, WIAC 3-2) will return home for more WIAC action on Wednesday, January 19th when they host UW-River Falls. Eau Claire will be hosting their annual Cancer Awareness and Team Night at Zorn Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
