OSHKOSH, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team cruised past Marian (Wis.) 76-41 in its opener at the BSN Winter Classic on Thursday at Oshkosh Arena. The Blugolds used a hot start to the second half to pull away from the Sabres.
The first half was evenly matched for the most part, with Marian holding a five-point lead at the midway mark. The Blugolds seized momentum heading into halftime though. UW-Eau Claire outscored the Sabres 18-4 across the final nine-plus minutes of the half to take a 29-20 lead into the break. That stretch included a 9-0 spurt to end the half.
Things got even better for the Blugolds to open the second half. UW-Eau Claire opened the period on a 13-2 run to go ahead 42-22 and coasted from there. The Blugolds outscored Marian 47-21 in the second half.
Eleven different players scored for UW-Eau Claire. Brock Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) led all scorers with 19 points and added six rebounds and three blocks. Michael Casper (Jr. - Merrill, Wis.) had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Blugolds. Nolan Blair (Jr. - Stevens Point, Wis.) and Gunnar Tebon (Jr. - Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) both scored eight points off the bench. David Ijadimbola (Jr. - Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center) added seven points.
Carter Huschka (Jr. - Farmington, Minn.) shared the team high with six rebounds. Zander Williams (So. - Tomah, Wis.) had five rebounds off the bench.
UW-Eau Claire limited the Sabres to a 26% shooting percentage, including a 22% mark from 3-point range. Meanwhile, the Blugolds shot 52% from the field and made 10 3-pointers. The Blugolds out-rebounded Marian 41-24.
The Blugolds conclude play at the BSN Winter Classic when they face Ohio Wesleyan on Friday, Dec. 30, at 2:30 p.m.
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