OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball lost a close battle to UW-Oshkosh, falling 60-63 at the Kolf Sports Center in Oshkosh on Saturday night.
Both teams fought neck-in-neck early in the game but UW-Eau Claire took control for the remainder of the half and at the 7:06 mark, were leading by as much six points on one occasion. At the half, UW-Eau Claire led Oshkosh 28-27.
The fight for the lead would continue throughout the second half until there was 9:22 left in the game. A layup by Oshkosh's Taylor Jansen would put the Titans up by two. The Blugolds would never lead again.
The Blugolds shot 43.6 percent (24-of-55) from the field and just 11.8% (2-of-17) from behind the arc.
UW-Oshkosh went 22-of-45 (48.9%) in the field and 4-of-14 (28.6%) from the three point line.
George Diekelman (Fr.-Stevens Point, WI) put the Blugolds within three points on a layup with only 26 seconds left in regulation. Jack Martinek (So.-New Brighton, MN/Irondale) would gain the next possession for UW-Eau Claire, grabbing a rebound off a missed UW-O free throw. But a missed three pointer by Lewis Mau (Sr.-Colfax, WI) forced the Blugolds to use a timeout with just twelve seconds left to play.
Tyson Kalien (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, WI) would take the final shot for UW-Eau Claire but was blocked by UW-Oshkosh's Max Schebel to secure the win for the Titans.
Scoring leaders for the Blugolds included Martinek who finished with 16 points and Diekelman who put up 14 on 5-of-8 from the field and an impressive 4-of-4 free throw finish. Kurtis Moody (Jr.-Pequot Lakes, MN) and Mau both wrapped up the night with 10 points each.
This concludes regular season play for both teams. Sixth seed UW-Eau Claire will travel to third seed UW-River Falls on Feb. 24 in the first round of the WIAC tournament. Tip-off is 7pm.
-MRW-
