By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team took down UW-Stevens Point Saturday night at Zorn Arena, 75-66.
Cole Rabedeaux (Sr.-Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) began the scoring for Eau Claire, hitting a jumper to tally his 1,000th career point in just his third season as a Blugold. Rabedeaux is the 42nd player Blugold history to hit the 1,000-point mark.
Despite a quick 6-0 lead for Eau Claire, the Pointers were able to build a double-digit lead midway through the first half. However, the Blugolds were able to come back, with a three from Luke Reader (Fr.-Bangor, WI) making it 29-27 at half.
Both teams went 10-22 from the field in the first, but Stevens Point hit one more three-pointer. The top scorer in the half for UWEC was Rabedeaux with six points, who also added two steals.
Eau Claire tied up the game a few minutes into the second at 35, taking the lead a minute later off a three from Rabedeaux. The score would remain tight until the Blugolds went on an 11-0 run with six minutes remaining. That lead would hold the remainder of the game.
The Blugolds were very hot in the second half, shooting 63% from the field and going 5-8 from three-point. They also dominated on the glass during the period, outrebounding Stevens Point 17-8.
On the night, UWEC shot 54 percent, and won the rebounding battle overall. They were on point from three, going 7-16.
Rabedeaux had 23 points and led the Blugolds in assists, with four. Carter Brooks (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/North) added 17, while Spencer Page (So.-Rice Lake, WI) had ten.
With the win, the Blugolds earn a regular season sweep over the Pointers for the first time since 2001. UWEC improves to 15-6 overall and 6-4 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They'll be back in Zorn next Wednesday, to square off with UW-River Falls. It is their second to last home game of the 2019-2020 regular season. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
