By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
OSHKOSH, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team won another close contest Wednesday night, defeating UW-Oshkosh on the road, 78-76.
Oshkosh took a quick 12-5 lead within the first few minutes, but the Blugolds quickly clawed back, taking their first lead midway through the first off a three from Spencer Page (So.-Rice Lake, WI). Eau Claire would control the lead for most of the remaining first half, until a Titans three-pointer with four seconds left made it 45-44 at the halftime break.
Cole Rabedeaux (Sr.-Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) and Page led the way for the Blugolds in the half. Rabedeaux had 16, while Page had 12, both of them hitting a pair of three-pointers in the period.
Eau Claire opened the second half on a 19-2 run, giving them a 63-49 lead with 15 minutes remaining. They would retain a double-digit lead until the five-minute mark, when the Titans began chipping away at the lead.
A dunk from Oshkosh with 49 seconds left made the score 77-76 in favor of the Blugolds. After a missed layup from UWEC, the Titans had a couple opportunities to take the lead, before Rabedeaux had a clutch steal with just a few seconds remaining. Paige hit the back end of a pair of free throws to finish off the game, 78-76.
The Blugolds had a strong shooting night overall, going 27-53 from the field (51%). They were also very hot from downtown, nailing 11 three-pointers on just 21 attempts.
Rabedeaux once again lead all scorers, concluding the night with 32 points. He went 10-18 from the field and 3-5 from three-point. Paige added 20 points himself, while Blake Wacholz (Sr.-Lakeville, MN/South) had a great night passing, leading UWEC with five assists.
The victory improves Eau Claire's overall record to 14-6, and now 5-4 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They'll return to Zorn Arena for their next two games, beginning with UW-Stevens Point on Saturday. That game will tip off at 5 PM and will be Alumni Day. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.