By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- Chris Duff (Sr. – Walker, MN) scored a season-high 27 points, but the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team dropped their fourth straight game falling to the UW-Stevens Point 70-61 Saturday night at Quandt Fieldhouse.
The Blugolds looked to earn their first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) win against the Pointers, after dropping a close game to No. 5 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Eau Claire started strong, jumping out to an early lead thanks to five quick points from George Diekelman (Sr. – Stevens Point, WI/SPASH). With the game tied at 10, UW-Stevens Point went on a 10-0 run to take the lead.
A jumper from Duff would cut the Pointer lead down to five points, 23-18. Stevens Point would again extend their lead back up to double-digits.
The Blugolds would head into the half trailing by 11, 38-27.
In the second half, the Pointers took control of the game right away by going on a crucial 16-5 run. Eau Claire fought their way back, but UW-Stevens Point did enough to finish out the home victory.
Duff's 27-point performance was his sixth 20-point game of the season. Following Duff was Diekelman with 11 points and Ben Widdes (Jr. – Rice Lake, WI) who added 10 points.
Stevens Point owned the boards on the night, out-rebounding UW-Eau Claire 34-23.
The Blugolds will look to turn things around when they travel to UW-Stout on Wednesday, January 17. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
