By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team won a thriller Saturday night, taking down UW-Stevens Point 63-62.
The Blugolds' offense came out flaming hot, scoring the first 15 points of the contest. They would finish the first half shooting 64 percent from the field, while going 5-9 from three-point. The Pointers would get back in the game due to strong shooting themselves, leaving the score 35-24 at the halftime break.
Cole Rabedeaux (Sr.-Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) had 17 of Eau Claire's first half points, going 7-10 from the field. Adam Link (Sr.-Marshall, WI) also added six, hitting two three-pointers.
A layup from Cam Kuepers (Jr.-Madison, WI/Lakeside Lutheran) opened things up in the second half, but the game would tighten down the stretch. By the 11-minute mark, Eau Claire's lead had evaporated, with the score tied at 45.
Both teams would trade punches the rest of the way, with neither able to build any significant advantage. With less than a minute remaining, Stevens Point held a 62-61 lead before Kuepers was fouled, sending him to the line for a one-and-one. Kuepers missed the front half but managed to grab his own rebound and put it back in, giving UWEC the one-point lead.
On the next UWSP trip down the floor, Carter Brooks (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/North) had a clutch block that sealed the victory for the Blugolds. It was one of six blocks on the night for Eau Claire.
The Blugolds would finish the game shooting 51 percent from the field and outrebounding the Pointers 30-28.
Rabedeaux was once again the leading scorer for Eau Claire, with 22 on the night. In addition to the clutch game-winner, Kuepers added 12 points and grabbed six boards. Link would finish off with 12 points, a season high for the senior.
The win snaps a three-game skid for the Blugolds, who are now 11-5 overall and 2-3 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Next up is another in-conference road trip, this one against UW-River Falls on Wednesday. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
