By Emily Simonson, UWEC Sports Information
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire men's basketball team traveled to UW-Stevens Point on Tuesday night for the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Quarterfinals (presented by Culver's) against UW-Stevens Point, resulting in a 61-89 loss for the Blugolds.
After allowing a quick 9-0 start for Stevens Point, the Blugolds were able to go on a 10-2 run to come within one. Ben Widdes (Sr. – Rice Lake, WI) contributed eight of those points during the run and Wilyam Wright (Sr. – Bolingbrook, IL/Plainfield East) helped on defense, recording four rebounds and a steal.
After the first media timeout of the game, Spencer Page (Fr. – Rice Lake, WI) hit a three and Cole Rabedeaux (Jr. – Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) sank two free throws and a three to put the Blugolds up 20-16 with 7:42 remaining in the first half. Stevens Point then went on an 11-0 run which was disrupted by a three from Wright to make it 23-27 Pointers with 3:57 remaining.
The Pointers went into the half up 37-29. The Blugolds came out of the locker room giving it their all but could not shut down the Stevens Point offense, getting outscored 52-32 in the second half, 13 of those points coming from the free throw line.
Widdes ended the night with a game-high 21 points. Rabedeaux recorded 16 points and six rebounds on the night while Wright tallied eight points and a team-high ten rebounds.
Eau Claire wraps up the with an overall record of 14-12 and also concludes the Blugold careers for seniors Ben Widdes, Wilyam Wright, Steve Christiansen (Apple Valley, MN) and Kyle McDonald (Cambridge, MN/Cambridge-Isanti).
