WHITEWATER, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team saw their season come to an end Thursday night, falling in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) semifinals to No. 2 UW-Whitewater, 82-60.
The Blugolds traded baskets with the Warhawks early in the game, with Eau Claire taking a 14-11 lead at the 12:16 mark. The lead, however, was short-lived as Whitewater went on a 26-8 run to close out the opening half.
The Blugolds were unable to put a run together in the second half as the Warhawks remained in control and cruised to an 82-60 victory.
George Diekelman (Fr. Stevens Point, WI) came off the bench to lead the Blugolds with nine points while Lewis Mau (Sr. Colfax, WI) chipped in eight points along with six points. Jack Martinek (So. New Brighton, MN) also tallied six rebounds while Jared Schneidermann (So. Brooklyn Park, MN) added five rebounds.
Eau Claire shot 42.3 percent (22-for-52) from the field and 36 percent (nine-for-25) from the three point line. The Blugolds were also seven of 10 from the free throw line.
KJ Evans led all scorers with 29 points. The Warhawks were 45.8 percent (27-for-59), 39.1 percent (nine-for-23) from three and 65.5 percent (19-for-29) from the free throw line.
The Blugolds wrap up their season with an 11-16 record after making their first WIAC Tournament appearance since 2009.
-JM-