By Travis Nyhus, UWEC Sports Information
WAVERLY, Iowa. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team had their four game win straight snapped 66-55 at the No. 14 Wartburg College Knights on Saturday evening.
Wartburg scored the first four points before Chris Duff (So. – Walker, MN) got the Blugolds on the board. Duff hit another jumper with 15:49 left in the first half to make the score 10-6. Wartburg went on a 21-8 run over the next 10 minutes to take control of the game.
The Blugolds trailed 36-18 at the half. Much of the struggles on offense in the first half can be attributed the team's shooting from deep. The Blugolds were unable to find the range in the first half going 0-11. They shot 34.6 (9-26) overall from the field in the first half.
Eau Claire looked to fight back in the second half. Two free throws by Cole Rabedeaux (So. – Poulsbo, WA/ North Kitsap) and three-pointer from Duff got Eau Claire within 15.
Wartburg led by as much as 23, but Eau Claire wouldn't go away. A Dan Becken (Sr. – Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial) bucket capped a 10-0 run by Eau Claire that got the Blugolds within 12 with 5:48 remaining in the game. The Blugolds ended the game on 5-1 run, but had their four game win streak ended.
Eau Claire shot 38.6 percent (22-57) from the field. Duff led Eau Claire with 18 points and added seven rebounds. Rabedeaux chipped in with 14 points.
The Blugolds are back on the court Wednesday, Dec. 13 when they travel to La Crosse to play Viterbo University. Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
