EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugold.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team returned to Zorn Arena Wednesday night, defeating UW-Platteville 80-62, led by Jack Martinek's (So.-New Brighton, MN) career-high 21 points.
Platteville took an early lead out of the gate, but a Martinek three at 10:31 gave the Blugolds the lead at 15-14. Each team when on short runs for the rest of the half, however, Eau Claire was able to maintain the lead and took a 31-27 advantage into the locker room.
Tyson Kalien (Jr.- Chippewa Falls, WI) nailed a three to start the second half, but the Pioneers whittled away the Eau Claire lead and tied the game 37 with 15:11 left in the game.
A Pioneer three gave them their first lead of the second half with 13 minutes left, but the lead was short-lived, as the Blugolds tied it up in their next possession.
After a Platteville free throw, George Diekelman (Fr.-Stevens Point, WI) hit a three at 11:45 left in the game to put the home squad up, 45-43.
Back to back three's by Martinek gave the Blugolds a double-digit lead, 53-43, and from there they would never look back as they cruised to an 18-point victory, 80-62.
Martinek led the Blugolds with 21 points while Kalien added 15.
Jacob Kohner (Jr.-Bloomington, MN) also scored in double figures, tallying 10 points and Lewis Mau (Sr.-Colfax, WI) had a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with eight points.
Platteville's Jim Stocki led all scorers with 24 points.
Eau Claire shot and impressive 50 percent (25-of-50) from the field and 55 percent (11-of-20) from behind the arc while holding the Pioneers to 36.8 percent from the field (21-of-57) and 30.4 percent (7-of-23) from three.
The Blugolds (9-13, 5-8 WIAC) return to Zorn Saturday as they host UW-La Crosse at 5 p.m.
-JM-
