'Roo Women's Hoops Falls to No. 8 UW-Eau Claire

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team struggled to find their range against No. 8-ranked Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Friday as the team wrapped up the 2021 calendar year, falling 69-45 against the Blugolds. The 'Roos are now 2-8 overall on the year.

It was a 31-28 game late in the second second quarter after a three by Lauren Traylor, but the Blugolds closed the half on a 10-3 run to head into the locker room leading 41-30. Eau Claire continued its run into the second half, surging ahead 48-31, and the deficit would remain in double figures the rest of the way as Austin College managed just 15 points after the break. The 'Roos made just 2-of-16 shots in the third quarter and 3-of-20 in the fourth, finishing the game shooting 19.4% from the field overall, including just 4-of-26 from beyond the arc.

Kacie West paced the 'Roos with 15 points, with 10 of those coming in the opening quarter. West added five rebounds and a pair of steals, and knocked down two of Austin College's four made triples. Traylor finished with 11 points and a team-best six rebounds in the loss, as no other 'Roos scored more than five points. 

Eau Claire finished the game shooting 48.3% from the field and made 8-of-26 from deep, while also holding a 56-32 advantage on the glass. The 'Roos managed to pester the Blugolds into 25 turnovers, while only giving it away 10 times themselves. Jessie Ruden scored 24 to pace the Blugolds, adding 11 rebounds, and Courtney Crouch made 4-of-6 from deep on her way to 18 points. Tyra Boettcher added 15 points, and Jade Ganski swatted away seven shots.

Austin College is back in action on Monday, when they head to Richardson to take on UT-Dallas.