OSHKOSH, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team took to the road on Wednesday for their fourth Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) contest in seven days. The #16 ranked Blugolds took on UW-Oshkosh at the Kolf Sports Center in a rematch of the 2019 WIAC Championship. After a slow start in the opening quarter, the Blugolds were unable to mount a comeback in a 60-53 road loss.
The opening quarter was one to forget for the visitors as UWEC struggled with their shots, shooting a team total 12.5% from the field and were held to a scoreless opening run for 4:24. The second quarter fared much better for the Blugolds as the Blugolds tallied 14 points spread among five different players.
UW-Oshkosh had shooting issues themselves at halftime as UWEC went on a 8-0 run to open the third quarter and cut the lead to just two with five minutes left in the quarter. Jessie Ruden (Jr. – Rochester, MN/John Marshall) started hot after intermission as she tallied five of the total 16 points in the third frame. UWEC outscored the Titans 16-9 in the third period.
The fourth quarter came down to a tight battle of fouls between the conference foes. A combined 17 fouls came between the two teams in the second half as UWEC sent the Titans to the line for 11 shots in the final 20 minutes.
Jade Ganski (So. – Rothschild, WI/Newman Catholic) put up a major block with a little over two minutes to go that led to a Jessie Ruden layup to cut the lead down to four points. After six free throws made by Oshskosh, Ganski drained a three from distance with 11 seconds to go, but the Titans capitalized on their final free throws to crush any chance of completing an Eau Claire comeback.
The Blugolds (15-5 WIAC 6-3) will reset and enjoy a rare weekend off this Saturday before heading back to WIAC play on Wednesday, February 2nd when they travel to UW-River Falls. Tip off is scheduled for 7PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
