PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team built an early lead and never trailed in a 75-59 victory over UW-Platteville on Wednesday night. The 14th-ranked Blugolds dominated the boards and shot well throughout the evening to take down the Pioneers.
The Blugolds got 21 points and nine rebounds apiece from Tyra Boettcher (Sr. – Menomonie, Wis.) and Courtney Crouch (Sr. – White Bear Lake, Minn.). Evelyn Walker (So. – Sun Prairie, Wis.) added a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 10 rebounds. UW-Eau Claire out-rebounded UW-Platteville 44-29, and the Blugolds shot 53% from 3-point range.
Boettcher made a 3-pointer in the first minute of the game, and UW-Eau Claire led the rest of the way. The two sides traded swings for much of the first period, with the Blugolds leading by as many as eight points. The Pioneers closed the quarter on a 6-2 run, but UW-Eau Claire carried a 21-17 advantage into the second quarter.
The Blugolds began to widen their lead in the second period. Boettcher and Crouch scored seven points each in the quarter, helping UW-Eau Claire get ahead by 10 points at halftime. The Blugolds opened the quarter on a 7-0 run.
A solid third quarter saw UW-Eau Claire maintain its lead. A pair of 3-pointers by Jessie Ruden (Sr. – Rochester, Minn./John Marshall) applied pressure to UW-Platteville, but the Pioneers remained within striking distance at 55-44 entering the final period.
The Blugolds pulled away for good in the fourth quarter. An 8-1 run across the final few minutes padded the lead enough for a comfortable victory.
Boettcher surpassed 600 career points in the victory and Ruden nabbed two steals to reach 100 for her career. Kylie Mogen (Sr. – Menomonie, Wis.) scored two points to reach 300 in her career.
Ruden finished with eight points and four rebounds. Kylie Strop (Jr. – River Falls, Wis.) had eight points for the Blugolds.
UW-Eau Claire connected on 8 of 15 3-point attempts and also scored 40 points in the paint. The Blugolds forced the Pioneers into 16 turnovers and held them to 37% shooting from the field.
The Blugolds (13-3, 4-1) are back at home on Saturday, Jan. 14. They host UW-Stevens Point with a 5 p.m. tip-off. UW-Eau Claire is currently locked in a three-way tie atop the WIAC standings with UW-Stout and UW-Whitewater.
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