Stout can't turn the score around against Eau Claire

UW-Eau Claire 78, UW-Stout 71

EAU CLAIRE (February 10, 2021) - In their last outing against UW-River Falls, UW-Stout was able to turn around a 15 point deficit, but the Blue Devils were unable to repeat the feat Wednesday at UW-Eau Claire as the Blugolds took a 78-71 win out of their temporary quarters at McPhee Center.

Stout (2-1, 2-1 WIAC) trailed by 13 points with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and managed to get the score to four points, 75-71, with 10 seconds remaining. The Blue Devils were forced to foul and Eau Claire (3-0, 3-0 WIAC) made 3 of 4 free throw to keep Stout an arm's length away.

After a relatively even first quarter, the Blugolds outscored Stout 24-11 in the second period to take a 42-27 hafltime lead. The Blue Devils opened the third period on a 12-2 run to pull to within five points, 44-39 at 6:07, but Eau Claire took the score back to a 10 point lead then built up to the 13 point lead midway through the fourth.

Again Stout cut into the lead, outscoring Eau Claire 13-4 as Tess Johnson nailed three 3-pointers in the run. McKenzie Johnson would hit a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left to pull Stout to within four points, but that would be the closest Stout would get.

Tess Johnson led Stout with 15 points and Liz Oswald scored a season-high 13 points. Stout shot 41.8 percent (23-55) from the floor, hitting 8 of 16 3-pointers and 17 of 24 free throws. Stout outrebounded Eau Claire, 35-27. 

The Blugolds had four players in double digits, led by Katie Essen's 23 points. Maizie Deihl had 17, Jessie Ruden 14 and Jadelyn Ganski 10. The Blugolds shot 44.4 percent (28-63), hitting 6 of 17 3-pointers and 16 of 20 free throws. Eau Claire forced 22 Stout turnovers.

The teams will square off again Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in Johnson Fieldhouse.