By Alex Richert, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – In their final home game of 2018, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team held on to win Saturday's matchup against the St. Norbert Green Knights by a final score of 72-66.
From jump ball to the end of the game, Eau Claire never trailed the Knights. At the end of the first half, the Blugolds had a promising lead of 16 points. The Knights fought back in the second half and doubled their field goal conversion rate. St. Norbert also knocked down seven of fifteen behind the arc during the second half.
The Knights cut Eau Claire's lead to just two points before the Blugolds sealed the game with four consecutive free throws down the stretch by Cole Rabedeaux (Jr. – Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) and Blake Wacholz (Jr. – Lakeville, MN/South).
Eau Claire's scoring leaders were Sean Miller (Jr. – Waukesha, WI/Kettle Moraine) (14), Rabedeaux (13) and Ben Widdes (Sr. – Rice Lake, WI) (10). Rabedeaux also accumulated a game-high eight rebounds. As a team, the Blugolds converted 44.9 percent of their field goals and 43.5 percent from behind the arc. The depth of Eau Claire also played a significant role; as they produced 32 points from the bench.
The Blugolds (6-3) will be traveling to Nashville, Tennessee for their next contest against Bridgewater State (1-9) on December 29. For everything Blugold Athletics, visit Blugold Game Day or download the 'UWEC Blugolds' app' on your mobile device.