EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team hosted UW-Stevens Point for their second consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) contest of the week. The Blugolds came away with a 64-38 victory by keeping the visitors to under 25% shooting from the field.
The first quarter was tight battle between both squads as the Blugolds kept the Pointers to only two baskets and four free throws in the 14-8 lead. Courtney Crouch (Jr. - White Bear Lake, MN) started fast with a team high six points and three rebounds in the opening ten minutes of play. The home squad did their job on the defensive end as well as they kept the Pointers to a game low 16.7% shooting percentage.
In the second quarter, Jade Ganski (So. - Rothschild, WI/NEwman Catholic) knocked down her first two three-pointers of the evening in a span of two minutes to extend the Blugold lead to 12 points. UWSP coughed up nine turnovers in the first half as Jessie Ruden (Jr. - Rochester, MN/John Marshall) tallied all three of her steals in the second frame.
Following a low scoring first half, both teams combined for 55 points in the final 20 minutes. UWEC scored a total of 30 points in the paint during the evening contest with in the second half. Eau Claire had a balanced third quarter as six different Blugolds combined for 15 points and an 18-point lead.
The final frame featured 15 different Blugolds checking into the game and a UWEC pushing as much as 32 points. Ruden and Ganski both finished the contest tied for a team high 15 points and 13 rebounds between them. Ruden and Tyra Boettcher (Sr. - Menomonie, WI) both had four assists each as well.
The Blugolds (8-0, WIAC 2-0) will continue their homestand at Zorn Arena with two more home games before the holiday break. Bethany Lutheran University will come to town on Wednesday, December 8th for a 7PM tipoff.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
