By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- Riding the high of the Lopata Classic tournament win, the No. 10 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team had to fight to earn a 68-59 victory over Viterbo University Tuesday night at Zorn Arena in Eau Claire.
Box Score | Photos | Siverling video recap
The Blugolds picked up right where they left off this past weekend, opening the game on a 6-2 run courtesy of two three-pointers from George Diekelman (Jr. –Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) and Josh Weix (So. – Eau Claire, WI/North). Despite the quick start for the Blugolds, Viterbo was not deterred from the fight, as they would mount a run to take the lead. The V-Hawks would continue to play hard and found themselves on a great run. Viterbo would extend their lead to nine after two free throws from the V-Hawk's Austin Poehls. From this point, Eau Claire would go on a run to tie the game up, but it was Viterbo once again fighting off Eau Claire for the lead as the buzzer sounded, with the V-Hawks leading 33-29 at the half.
In the second frame, it was more of the same, as Eau Claire just could not shake past the V-Hawks. The Blugolds continued to test Viterbo and every ime Eau Claire did, the V-Hawks had an answer. Following an Andrew Duxbury (Sr. – Stillwater, MN) lay-up at the 9:53 mark, the Blugolds tied the game at 46 apiece. After trading a few baskets, Weix took over. Weix would convert on the one and one opportunity and followed that with two lay-ups to singlehandedly give the Blugolds a lead. Eau Claire would finish the game hitting enough of their free throws to earn their seventh straight win to start the year.
Weix led the way for the Blugolds leading all scorers with 21 points, following him was Chris Duff (Jr. – Walker, MN), who had 14 points. The duo was also active on the glass as they both registered double-doubles in the win with 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
Eau Claire out-rebounded Viterbo 33 to 29. The Blugolds also out-shot the V-Hawks, shooting 50 percent (24-48 FGs) to just 39.3 percent (22-56 FGs) for Viterbo.
Overall, the V-Hawks gave the Blugolds a great fight, but Eau Claire was able to right the ship before the buzzer to earn a hard fought win. Viterbo is now 0-3 against the WIAC this season and remains winless on the road.
Up next for Eau Claire is another road trip in the Midwest, this time to Iowa. The Blugolds will take the floor against Buena Vista on Saturday, December 10th and will remain in Iowa for a Sunday match-up with Wartburg College.
Follow all the action this season on Blugold Game Day.
