By Christian Kiener, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team was back home on Saturday as the Blugolds clashed with the University of Northwestern-St. Paul Eagles. A strong offensive first half put the Blugolds out of reach the remainder of the game as Eau Claire came away with an 83-62 home victory.
The first 10 minutes of the game was the Spencer Page (Sr. – Rice Lake, Wis.) show as Eau Claire went up fast 25-15 with Page scoring 19 of those points and capping it off with a dunk on a fast break. The home squad didn't stop there as Michael Casper (Jr. – Merrill, Wis.) earned nine points in the first half off of shots from downtown. In the final five minutes, Eau Claire went on a 15-5 run helped by Page to lead the Eagles 48-29 at the half.
The visitors wouldn't go away easily as Northwestern-St. Paul came out of the break with a 14-3 run to bring the game within eight points. Both squads went back and forth, but the Eagles continued to improve their offense and close the score down to 61-56 with less than eight minutes to go. After a Blugold timeout, the home team never looked back as Drew Maloney (So. – St. Charles, Minn.) sank a pair of 3s and Brock Voigt (Sr. – Sun Prairie, Wis.) grinded out 11 points in the post to run away from the opponent. Page added a few more shots from downtown too, and UWEC closed out the game on an impressive 22-6 run for 83-62 win.
Page set a new career high at 32 points, beating his previous achievement by seven points.
The Blugolds (2-2) will be home on Tuesday, Nov. 22, as the second featured game of the UWEC basketball doubleheader. Tip-off of the men's game is scheduled for 8 p.m.
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