EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team remained unbeaten at home by defeating UW-Oshkosh 51-48 on Wednesday at Zorn Arena. The Blugolds held on in a back-and-forth affair to improve to 6-0 on their home court and 2-1 in WIAC play.
UW-Eau Claire rode a double-double from Brock Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.), who tallied 16 points and 14 rebounds. It was his fourth double-double of the season.
The Blugolds led by 10 in the early stages of the first half, but the two sides were tightly knit for most of the game. David Ijadimbola (Jr. - Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center) went on a personal seven-point run to help UW-Eau Claire get some separation early, but the Titans quickly pulled back into the game. UW-Oshkosh briefly led 18-17 with just under five minutes left until halftime, but a layup from Michael Casper (Jr. - Merrill, Wis.) started an 8-0 run for the Blugolds to close the half. UW-Eau Claire entered the break ahead 25-20.
The Titans started the second half on a 7-0 run to pull in front again at 27-25, but Cade Hall (Jr. - Mauston, Wis.) connected on a 3-pointer to answer for the Blugolds. UW-Eau Claire only trailed once more the rest of the way, and led for the final 13 minutes.
The Blugolds got some cushioning with an 8-0 run midway through the half which saw four different players score. UW-Oshkosh slowly whittled the lead down to 49-48 on a layup with 23 seconds left, but Voigt made a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left and the Titans saw an attempt at the buzzer miss the mark.
Voigt's 14 rebounds tied for the second-best mark of his career. Ijadimbola finished with 10 points, and Alex Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) added eight points and three rebounds for the Blugolds. Casper had seven points and four rebounds. Hall finished with five points off the bench.
The victory moved UW-Eau Claire to 10-4 this season. The Blugolds continue WIAC play when they visit UW-Whitewater on Saturday, Jan. 7. The contest is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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