By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team started their season off with a bang after knocking off No. 4-ranked St. Norbert College 68-67 in front of an electric home crowd in Zorn Arena on Tuesday night.
Box Score | Photos | Coach Siverling Recap
The Blugolds took no time getting started against the Green Knights. The first points of the game were memorable, scoring the first points of the season and the first his Blugold career was Josh Weix (So. – Eau Claire, WI/North). Weix, a former Eau Claire North standout, transferred from Southwest Minnesota State to Eau Claire and had a memorable homecoming.
After starting on a quick 5-0 run, St. Norbert would lock in and match Eau Claire for what seemed like the entire half. Eau Claire was able to stake a five-point lead, but quickly after it was the Green Knights matching the run. Just past the mid-way point of the first half, St. Norbert took a 17-15 lead thanks to a three-pointer from Mitchell Reinthaler. Eau Claire would respond by finishing the half strong, going on a 19-10 run, including a three-point buzzer beater by senior Jack Martinek (Sr. – New Brighton, MN/Irondale).
In the second half, the Blugolds continued to play well, fighting off the talented Green Knights. At the 13-minute mark of the second half, the Blugolds lead had disappeared. St. Norbert went on a quick 11-2 run to give them a five-point advantage. But thanks to a pair of triples from Chris Duff (Jr. – Walker, MN) and George Diekelman (Jr. – Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) Eau Claire tied it up with just less than eight minutes left.
Every time the Green Knights tried to pull away for the win, it was Duff answering the call with triple after triple as he continued to burn the St. Norbert defense from behind the arc. Duff's final three of the night came with less than two minutes left to give the Blugolds a 66-65 lead.
In the last minute of the game, Eau Claire gave up a lay-up and Head Coach Matt Siverling called a timeout to regroup his team. With just 50 seconds left on the clock, it was the homecoming hero Josh Weix, giving his new team the one point advantage.
On the ensuing possession, St. Norbert turned the ball over after a stellar defensive play by Diekelman, who tipped the ball to Duff. A Blugold missed free throw left the door open for the Green Knights, but great defense by senior Jared Schneidermann (Sr. – Brooklyn Park, MN/Concordia Academy) prevented St. Norbert from getting the buzzer beater to fall.
Leading the way for Eau Claire was Duff, who had 17 points (5-6 3PT) and six rebounds in the win. Overall, the Blugolds were fantastic from the beyond the arc, shooting 81.8 percent (9-11) as a team. Weix also had an impressive night, filling the stat sheet with 14 points, four assists, and a team-high eight rebounds.
The game was an instant classic featuring a six lead changed and six ties. The Blugolds were out-rebounded 35-27 and lost the turnover battle (11-8), but still were able to get a win. This was the first time the Blugolds have played the Green Knights in three straight seasons since 1982. For Eau Claire, the win is also their first against St. Norbert since 1982.
Up next for the Blugolds is a road trip to the UW-Superior. A long time rival of Eau Claire - dating back to 1930's - the Blugolds own a 123-69 career mark against the Yellowjackets, with the last match-up going in Eau Claire's favor in a 80-69 win. Saturday's edition of the rivalry will tip off at 4 p.m.
Follow all the action this season on Blugold Game Day.
