EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) –The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team was defeated by UW-Oshkosh Saturday night, 78-66 in Zorn Arena.
The Blugolds shot well in the first half, shooting 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from the field, but so did the Titans as they hit 17-of-27 from the field (63 percent). The difference was from behind the arc, with Oshkosh nailing eight of 12 attempts with Eau Claire hitting one of three three-point attempts.
The Titans went on a 22-9 run midway through the first half, mounting their biggest lead of the game, 40-21. The Blugolds chipped away at the deficient the rest of the half and still trailed 46-34 at the break.
Eau Claire and Oshkosh traded baskets for most of the second half with both teams scoring 32 points as the Titans would maintain the their lead throughout the frame for the 78-66 win.
The Blugolds finished the game shooting 50 percent (26-of-52) from the field and from behind the arc (7-of-14). The Titans were 29-of-51 (56.9 percent) from the field and nine of 18 (50 percent) from the three-point line.
Eau Claire had a balanced scoring attack led by Jack Martinek (So.-New Brighton, MN) who scored 15 points off the bench. Jacob Kohner (Jr.-Bloomington, MN) added 12 while Lewis Mau (Sr.-Colfax, WI) and Tyson Kalien (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, WI) chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Oshkosh's Alex Olson had a game-high 20 points.
The Blugolds (6-10, 2-5 WIAC) will be in action Wednesday as they travel to UW-Platteville to take on the Pioneers at 7 p.m.
-JM-