By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team upset UW-Platteville Thursday night in the semifinals of the WIAC Championships, 78-74. The Pioneers were the No. 1 seed in the league, and ranked No. 6 in Division III.
Box Score | WIAC Championship Website
Down 10-7 early, the Blugolds went on a 24-3 run to build an advantage over the Pioneers. Platteville tightened the game closing the first half, but Eau Claire still held a 38-28 lead going into the break.
Spencer Page (So.-Rice Lake, WI) paced the Blugolds in scoring, with 12 points while also grabbing three rebounds. Cole Rabedeaux (Sr.-Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) also supplied eight points during the period.
Blake Wacholz (Sr.-Lakeville, MN/South) began the scoring in the second half for UWEC. Platteville retook the lead midway through the half but the Blugolds hung around. Down 74-73 with a minute left, Carter Brooks (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/North) got the friendly roll on a jumper to wrestle the lead back.
Two straight offensive fouls from the Pioneers on their end, and free throws from Cam Kuepers (Jr.-Madison, WI/Lakeside Lutheran) and Rabedeaux would seal the Blugold victory.
Eau Claire continued their impressive shooting, going 31-58 (53%) from the field and 10-23 (44%) from three-point. They also played strong defense, forcing 13 turnovers on Platteville.
Rabedeaux would lead the Blugolds in scoring, finishing with 22 points on 8-15 shooting. Page finished just behind him with 19, and also led the team in rebounding.
With the win, UWEC moves on to the WIAC Championship Game, where they will face off against the two seed, UW-Oshkosh. The Blugolds beat the Titans the last time they played, winning 78-76 on the road in early February. The Championship will be this Saturday at 9 PM.
Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
