EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team opened conference play with a 63-59 win over No. 19 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Wednesday night at Zorn Arena.
The Blugolds made five of their first six shots from the field to race out to a 14-3 lead in the first four minutes of the game. Tyson Kalien (Sr.- Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) hit two of UW-Eau Claire's three three-pointers during the quick start, which also included a three-point play by Jacob Kohner (Sr. – Bloomington, MN/John F. Kennedy).
The Blugolds continued to maintain the lead and took a 37-27 advantage into the locker room.
In the second half, the Pointers cut the UWEC lead to three on four occasions but could not get any closer. After UW-Stevens Point trailed 53-50 with 5:44 remaining, the Blugolds went on an 8-1 to take a 10-point lead with 31 seconds on the clock.
Down the stretch, Andrew Duxbury (Jr. – Stillwater, MN/Stillwater Area) hit four key free throws to keep stifle the Pointers' rally.
Jared Schneidermann (Jr.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Concordia Academy was 6-for-8 from the field, including three three-pointers, on his way to 17 points to lead the Blugolds. George Diekelman (So.- Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Duxbury chipped in 12 points off the bench.
The Blugolds finished the game shooting 44.9 percent from the field ( 22-49) while holding the defending national champions to 32.4 percent (23-71) and never trailed in the contest.
The Blugolds (8-4, 1-0 WIAC) travel to La Crosse on Saturday to take on the Eagles for another WIAC matchup. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.