NORTHFIELD, Minn. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team rallied from an early deficit, but ultimately fell to St. Olaf 73-69 on the road on Wednesday. The Blugolds overcame an early 12-point hole to tie the game midway through the second half, but the Oles pulled away down the stretch.
St. Olaf ran out to a 21-9 lead after the first eight-plus minutes of the game, but UW-Eau Claire slowly chipped away at the advantage. Brock Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) made a layup with 14 seconds left in the first half to give the Blugolds a 31-30 lead, but the Oles scored just before the buzzer to take a 33-31 lead into the break.
The Blugolds led early in the second half, but the two teams traded swings throughout much of the period in a back-and-forth stint. Voigt made a layup with 10:19 to go, tying the game at 53. St. Olaf went on a 7-0 run from there and held the lead the rest of the way. UW-Eau Claire trimmed the lead to three on a layup by Alex Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) with 3:27 remaining, but that was as close as the Blugolds got across the game's final 10 minutes.
David Ijadimbola (Jr. - Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center) led UW-Eau Claire with 18 points, which tied for the game high. Hall tallied 14 points and four rebounds. Brock Voigt scored 12 points and added six rebounds. Alex Voigt had nine points, and Spencer Page (Sr. - Rice Lake, Wis.) and Michael Casper (Jr. - Merrill, Wis.) added five points each.
The Blugolds had to overcome their troubles from 3-point range and the free throw line — a 17% mark from long range and a 47% clip on free throws — with strong defense. They forced 14 turnovers, including eight steals, and made three blocks. They scored 14 points off turnovers.
UW-Eau Claire returns home to host the University of Northwestern on Saturday at Zorn Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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