By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
MENOMONIE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated UW-Stout on Wednesday night, 61-60.
Spencer Page (Jr.-Rice Lake, WI) nailed a three-pointer within the first minute to open things up for Eau Claire. Page and Cam Kuepers (Sr.-Madison, WI/Lakeside Lutheran) entered leading the Blugolds in scoring, both averaging 10 PPG apiece.
Stout would hold the lead for most of the first half but the score would tighten before halftime. The score was 33-27 at the break in favor of the Blue Devils.
Brock Voigt (So.-Sun Prairie, WI) was the top performer of the half for Eau Claire, as he had 10 points on 5-8 shooting. The team shot the ball very well in the period, notching a 46% shooting percentage from the field. They also took an early lead on the glass, outrebounding Stout 17-13 in the period.
A pair of free throws by Kuepers would begin the second half scoring for UWEC. The Blugolds would hover around striking distance for most of the second half, until tying the game at 48 with nine minutes remaining.
Heading into the final minute of the game, Eau Claire was down two points. With the game on the line, the Blugolds turned to their veterans. Kuepers nailed the game-winning three off an assist from Carter Brooks (Sr.-Lakeville, MN/North).
Brooks and Kuepers would lead Eau Claire with 13 points each. David Ijadimbola (Fr.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Park Center) added 11 points of his own and was also a key piece of the defensive effort, contributing three steals.
The win moves UWEC to 1-2 on the 2021 season. They will go up against Stout again this Friday, February 12th at 7 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
