By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeated UW-River Falls on Wednesday night, 86-58. The game served as Senior Night for the 2021 season.
The Blugolds got on the board off a step-back jumper from Maizie Deihl (Sr.-New Prague, MN). They would hold the lead at the end of the first quarter, up 18-12.
Ellie Clayton (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/Farmington) kicked off the offense in the second period. She led the way with 11 points in the quarter.
The score tightened in the closing minutes of the first half, but Eau Claire still went into half with a slim 32-31 lead.
The Blugolds shot nearly 45% from the field in the first half and hit on a quarter of their three-point attempts. Clayton was the top scorer at the break with 14 points, while Deihl and Tyra Boettcher (Jr.-Menomonie, WI) both added four.
Eau Claire would have a great third quarter, shooting over 50% and extending their lead to double digits. They would head into the final period of play with a 58-46 advantage.
The hot shooting would continue into the fourth, as the Blugolds added 28 points. They hit four three-pointers during the quarter and were also perfect at the free throw line.
Once again, the Blugolds had balanced scoring across their offense, with four different players hitting double digits. Clayton and Boettcher tied for the team lead in scoring, both scoring 19 points. Jessie Ruden (So.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) had 12 of her own and led the team with six assists.
The win moves Eau Claire to 5-0 on the 2021 season. They sit atop the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference West Division and have a chance for another season sweep on Friday night against UW-River Falls. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
