EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team used a big third quarter to pull away from St. Norbert College for a 78-56 victory on Tuesday night at Zorn Arena. Guard Jessie Ruden (Sr. - Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) scored 26 points and surpassed 1,000 for her career with the Blugolds.
Ruden eclipsed the 1,000-point mark with a 3-pointer in the first quarter. Her total now sits at 1,021.
"It feels good," Ruden said. "I just need to give a shout-out to my teammates for making that possible with the extra passes and just building up my confidence, and the coaching staff building my confidence over the years. It's definitely contributed to the 1,000 points."
The 13th-ranked Blugolds trailed by seven midway through the first period, but Kylie Mogen (Sr. - Menomonie, Wis.) made a basket that started a 12-2 run that put UW-Eau Claire ahead 20-17 at the first intermission. The Blugolds led the rest of the way.
The Green Knights clipped the Blugolds' advantage to 31-29 with 3:21 remaining in the second quarter. Ruden hit a 3-pointer less than a minute later to open an 8-0 run that helped establish a six-point halftime lead.
UW-Eau Claire outscored the Green Knights 23-14 in the third quarter. Ruden, Courtney Crouch (Sr. - White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Tyra Boettcher (Sr. - Menomonie, Wis.) all made baskets out of the gate to set the tone. The Blugolds' advantage stretched to 15 by the end of the period, and the Blugolds held serve in the final quarter to see out the victory.
Ruden had five rebounds, three assists and three steals in addition to her 26 points. Boettcher added 16 points and 13 rebounds off the bench for a double-double. Crouch finished with 14 points, and Kylie Strop (Jr. - River Falls, Wis.) had 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Mogen chipped in with seven points, six rebounds and three blocks. The Blugolds shot 47% from the floor.
Defensively, the Blugolds limited St. Norbert to 28% from the field. UW-Eau Claire had seven blocks and seven steals.
The Blugolds are back in action when they host Northland College on Friday, Nov. 25, at Zorn Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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