EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team held off a late push from UW-River Falls on Wednesday night at Zorn Arena, fending off the Falcons for a 74-71 victory. The 12th-ranked Blugolds led by 23 at one point before the Falcons trimmed it to two, but UW-Eau Claire made enough free throws down the stretch to hold on.
The Blugolds were stingy on the defensive end right out of the gates. They held the Falcons to three points on 1 of 15 shooting in the first quarter to take a 14-3 lead after one. UW-Eau Claire kept UW-River Falls off the scoreboard for more than nine minutes to start the game. Kylie Mogen (Sr. – Menomonie, Wis.) accounted for half of UW-Eau Claire's points in the period and added four rebounds. The Blugolds started the quarter with a 13-0 run.
UW-Eau Claire continued to assert its will in the second quarter, where the lead widened even further. An 11-0 run started by back-to-back baskets from Jessie Ruden (Sr. – Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) early in the period added even more of a cushion. The Blugolds held the Falcons scoreless for more than four consecutive minutes in that stretch. It built a 22-point lead, and UW-Eau Claire stayed ahead by 19 or more the rest of the quarter. The Blugolds entered the locker room with a 37-18 advantage.
UW-River Falls narrowed the gap in the third quarter, outscoring the Blugolds 21-11. UW-Eau Claire fought back toward the end of the period though, highlighted by a 3-pointer plus a foul shot from Ruden. The Blugolds led 48-39 entering the final period.
An 8-0 Falcons run early in the fourth cut into the deficit further. The Blugolds led by seven with five minutes remaining, but UW-River Falls hit a quick 6-1 run to make it a 59-57 game in favor of UW-Eau Claire. However, the Blugolds made 10 free throws in the final two and a half minutes to hold on for a victory.
Mogen and Ruden shared the game high with 18 points. Mogen added six rebounds. Courtney Crouch (Sr. – White Bear Lake, Minn.) scored 10 points and had four rebounds for the Blugolds, and Kyla Overskei (Fr. – Maple Grove, Minn.) scored eight off the bench. Tyra Boettcher (Sr. – Menomonie, Wis.) set a new career high with 14 rebounds. Kylie Strop (Jr. – River Falls, Wis.) had six points, seven rebounds and four assists. Bailey Reardon (Sr. – River Falls, Wis.) tallied six points and four rebounds.
The Blugolds play one more conference game before the new year. They're back at Zorn Arena on Saturday, Dec. 3, to face UW-La Crosse. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
