MENOMONIE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's basketball team faced off against UW-Stout on Wednesday for part two of the "War on 94" rivalry series. A close game between two of the top three teams in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) standings brought an eventful night for the Blugolds and Blue Devils. With an eight-point lead after the third quarter, UWEC eventually fell behind late and suffered their sixth loss of the season, 68-60.
UW-Eau Claire was consistent in their shooting as they shot 50% in the first quarter and 57% in the second, giving Eau Claire a 32-30 lead at halftime. Jessie Ruden (Jr. – Rochester, MN/John Marshall) tallied 19 of her 25 totals in the opening 20 minutes of the contest. Their 8-0 run to begin the game gave the Blugolds momentum early, but tables turned as they game went on.
After keeping the home team to a game low 14.3% shooting percentage in the opening quarter, Stout fired back by shooting 61.5% in the second and kept the shooting going with 29 total points from their bench players to switch the tide of the contest.
In the final quarter, both teams held respective leads of as much as eight points and kept the excitement high. With 40 seconds remaining in the game and a three-point deficit at the hands, UWEC went 1-for-4 with possessional opportunities as they fell 68-60.
The Blugolds (17-6, WIAC 8-4) will play their final road game of the regular season on Saturday, February 12th when they travel to Stevens Point, WI. Tip off against UW-Stevens Point is scheduled to start at 3PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
