EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team trimmed a 26-point deficit down to eight in the second half, but couldn't complete the rally in an 89-77 defeat to UW-Whitewater on Saturday at Zorn Arena. The Blugolds couldn't overcome a torrid shooting performance from the Warhawks, who knocked down 64% of their shots — including 10 of 16 3-pointers.
A hot start for UW-Whitewater saw the Warhawks run in front 21-9 across the game's first seven minutes. The Blugolds had an answer though, with a 3-pointer from Nolan Blair (Jr. - Stevens Point, Wis.) starting a 9-1 run to cut the deficit to four with 10:15 remaining. UW-Whitewater used a flurry from the perimeter to establish another big cushion, connecting on three 3-pointers after the deficit had been trimmed to four. It contributed to a 17-2 run that saw the Warhawks go ahead 39-20. The Blugolds trailed 46-30 at halftime.
A 15-5 run across the first five minutes of the second half put UW-Whitewater ahead by 26, but the Blugolds didn't cave. They immediately answered with an 8-0 spurt, and after a Warhawks 3-pointer, added another 8-0 run. It halved the 26-point deficit in a span of just under five minutes.
The Warhawks' lead was still 13 with 2:26 to go when the Blugolds made a final push. Michael Casper (Jr. - Merrill, Wis.) hit a layup and a 3-pointer to begin a 7-2 run, which whittled the hole down to 84-76 with 1:13 left. However, that was as close as UW-Eau Claire would get. The Warhawks made five free throws across the final 1:03 to see out the victory.
Brock Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) led the Blugolds with 24 points and nine rebounds. The Blugolds' bench provided a huge spark in the comeback effort, accounting for 40 points. Gunnar Tebon (Jr. - Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) led the substitutes with 16 points. Carter Hanke (Sr. - Marathon, Wis.) had 12 points and three rebounds, and Carter Huschka (Jr. - Farmington, Minn.) tallied seven points, five rebounds and four assists. Casper finished with seven points.
The Blugolds shot at a 49% clip, but couldn't keep pace with the sharp-shooting Warhawks. UW-Whitewater made 30 of its 47 field goal attempts. The Blugolds held the edge in rebounds, points off turnovers, second-chance points and points in the paint.
UW-Eau Claire returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at UW-Platteville. The matchup with the Pioneers begins at 7 p.m. The Blugolds (13-9, 5-6) are in fifth place in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one game behind UW-Platteville.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
