EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team hosted the final game of their 2021 Tip Off Tournament against Ripon College. After securing a victory in their season premiere the night before, the Blugolds shot just around 50% from the field to earn their second win of the season, 74-46.
The Red Hawks from Ripon took an early 10-5 lead in the game's opening minutes despite the accumulation of three turnovers in that time frame. UW-Eau Claire battle back strong and took advantage off the turnovers with back-to-back buckets from Jade Ganski (So. - Rothschild, WI/Newman Catholic) and Tyra Boettcher (Sr. - Menomonie, WI) to tie the game at 10-10. Eau Claire wouldn't gain their first lead until the last minute of the opening quarter but held the advantage and momentum throughout the remainder of the contest.
Tyra Boettcher led all Blugolds with 23 points and Jessie Ruden (Jr. - Rochester, MN/John Marshall) was close behind with 21. Ruden tallied two of the six UWEC three-pointers made, and Boettcher was four for four from the free throw line.
On the defensive side, Jade Ganski gathered ten total rebounds (1 off., 9 def.) and had five blocks. Ruden also showed her defensive strengths with two steals of her own. UW-Eau Claire kept Ripon to just eight points in the 2nd and 4th quarter to keep their comfortable lead and the dominate 74-46.
The Blugolds will be back in action for a rare Sunday afternoon contest on November 21st when they host Trine University (Ind.). Tip off is scheduled for 2 PM.
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