By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team earned another key Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) win on Saturday night, defeating UW-La Crosse 88-69 at Zorn Arena.
Jared Schneidermann (Sr. - Brooklyn Park, MN/Concordia Academy) was a man on a mission Saturday night. The senior opened the game with eight of the Blugolds first 17 points.
Eau Claire would ride the early momentum to a quick 21-10 lead. After George Diekelman (Jr. – Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) hit a lay-up, the Blugolds extended the lead to 17 points with 2:42 left in the first.
The Eagles would come soaring back to end the half as they went on a 9-1 run to cut the Blugold lead down to just nine points.
But in the second half Schneidermann opened up the scoring for Eau Claire with a three-pointer, proving the big man could do it all Saturday night.
La Crosse was able to get into striking distance, but it was Dan Becken (Jr. - Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial) who gave Eau Claire a five-point lead following a three-pointer from the top of the key.
Eau Claire would not let the Eagles back into the game from there as they would play excellent defense and build up a lead too big to overcome. The Blugold defense held the Eagles to only 38.7 percent (12-31) in the second half and also recorded nine steals in the win.
The Blugolds finished the night shooting 32-53 (60.4 percent) from the field and 61.1 percent (11-18) from behind the arc on their way to an 88-point night.
Eau Claire was led by Chris Duff (Jr. – Walker, MN) who recorded 21 points. Behind him was Schneidermann with 18 points and five rebounds while Diekelman tallied 14 points and three assists. Josh Weix (So. – Eau Claire, WI/North) also finished in double figures, chipping in 13.
Up next for Eau Claire (17-6, 7-5 WIAC) is a rematch with No. 5 UW-River Falls for Senior Night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
