By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
PLATTEVILLE, WIS. (Blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team was unable to add their third conference win of the season as they fell 84-75 to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in Wednesday night at Bo Ryan Court.
In the first half the Blugold's earned the game's first basketball, but that proved to be their only lead of the game. Platteville's lead jumped up to eight, but the Eau Claire trimmed it down to just a four-point deficit at the 10:57 mark thanks to a Jacob Kohner (Sr.-Bloomington, MN/John F. Kennedy) made free throw. The Pioneers responded by going on a 21-7 run. Eau Claire was not going to go away easily though as a good run capped by a Tyson Kalien (Sr. - Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) three-pointer brought the game to a 43-32 score in favor of the Pioneers at the half.
The second half featured more of the same, as the Blugolds were unable to slow down Platteville. The Pioneers continued to push their lead and found themselves up by 17 just four minutes in. The Blugolds fought hard to the finish but were unable to come all the way back. Eau Claire trimmed the Platteville lead down to six points, but the Pioneer lead prevailed thanks to solid free throw shooting. The Pioneers finished the final minutes shooting 11-14 at the line (16-21 overall).
Kalien lead the way for the Blugolds pouring in 19 points (7-12 FG 4-9 3PT) while George Diekelman (So. – Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) and Jared Schneidermann (Jr.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Concordia Academy) added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
With the loss, the Blugolds (9-7, 2-3 WIAC) have lost three of their last four and will look to bounce back in another WIAC conference match up Saturday night where they will travel to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to finish up their road trip, tip-off is slated for 5:00 p.m.
