By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
OSHKOSH, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team lost to UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday night, 63-56.
The first basket of the game for Eau Claire would come from Katie Essen (Sr.-Farmington, MN/Rosemount). Essen would score the first six points of the game for the Blugolds before a layup from Jessie Ruden (So.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall).
The score at the end of the first quarter was 16-10 in favor of Oshkosh. In addition to baskets from Essen and Ruden, Tyra Boettcher (Jr.-Menomonie, WI) also got in the scoring column.
Eau Claire struck first in the second period, but the Titans went into the halftime break up 34-25. The Blugolds shot 39% from the field in the half, with Ruden leading the way with seven points.
The Blugolds took back the lead with four minutes remaining in the quarter off free throws from Ellie Clayton (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/Farmington). They maintained that lead into the fourth, up 45-40 going into the final ten minutes.
Oshkosh re-took the lead midway through the fourth, and managed to fend off the Blugold comeback attempt. Eau Claire got it down to four in the final minutes, but never took back the advantage.
Ruden ended the night as the top scorer for the Blugolds, managing 16 points with four made three-pointers. Essen had 12 points, while Clayton put up 13 off the bench. Jade Ganski (Fr.-Rothschild, WI/Newman Catholic) led the team with nine rebounds and also had three blocks.
The loss ends UWEC's six-game winning streak and leaves them at 6-1 on the 2021 season. They will have an opportunity to avenge the defeat on Friday in a rematch against Oshkosh, once again tipping at 7 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
