LA CROSSE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- Chris Duff (Sr. – Walker, MN) scored 22 as the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated Viterbo University 66-44 Wednesday night, also earning Head Coach Matt Siverling his 100th career win.
Duff scored the opening points of the game by hitting a 3-pointer, sparking the Blugolds to start on a 9-2 run. Up 12-8, Duff sparked the offense again, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers. Duff's 3-pointers were the highlight of the 13-1 run the Blugolds would go on. This run helped the team end the second half up by 13 points, 29-26.
The second half featured more strong shooting from the Blugolds as they shot 56 percent, 14-25 from the field. The Blugolds strong perimeter defense held the V-Hawks without a 3-pointer in the second, as Viterbo shot 0-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Another strong game from the duo of Duff and George Diekelman (Sr. – Stevens Point, WI/SPASH), who scored a combined 42 points in the game, was key for the Blugolds. Cole Rabedeaux (So. – Poulsbo, WA/ North Kitsap) also had a solid night adding nine points and six rebounds.
The fifth win of the season for the Blugolds is most special for Matt Siverling, who wins his 100th overall as a head coach. Siverling spent his first two seasons as head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where he won 29 games. Since 2012, Siverling has been the head coach of UW-Eau Claire, where he has earned 71 wins in six seasons.
Siverling and the Blugolds will be back in action on Friday, where they continue their road trip. Eau Claire will travel to Minnesota to take on Carleton College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.