MENOMONIE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeated UW-Stout on Friday night, 89-71. The Blugold win streak now stands at four, with the victory completing the season sweep of the Blue Devils.
A layup from Katie Essen (Sr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount) would begin a high-scoring first quarter for the Blugolds. They would score 27 points in the period and held an eight-point lead going into the second.
Eau Claire shot 63% from the field in the quarter and hit on half of their three-point attempts. Jessie Ruden (So.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) was the top scorer in the period, with ten points.
While the offense slowed down in the second quarter, the Blugolds were still able to extend their lead. They'd go on a 9-0 run to close the half, heading into the break with a 44-27 advantage.
While Ruden was the top scorer of the half for UWEC, seven different Blugolds got in the scoring column. In addition, Jade Ganski (Fr.-Rothschild, WI/Newman Catholic) had four blocks in the half.
A three from Maizie Deihl (Sr.-New Prague, MN) opened the second half. Stout would take the third period, but UWEC still went into the final quarter with a comfortable 13-point lead.
The Blue Devils would tighten the game in the fourth, but the Blugolds were once again able to hold off any comeback attempt. They clinched the game at the free throw line, with makes coming from Deihl and Ellie Clayton (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/Farmington).
Five different Blugolds would score double digits, with Clayton and Ruden both putting up 18 points. Deihl had 16 of her own and was one rebound shy of a double-double.
Now 4-0, Eau Claire will host UW-River Falls next Wednesday, February 17th. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
