By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
MENOMONIE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated UW-Stout Wednesday night, 80-54.
The two teams remained tight throughout most of the first half, until the Blugolds began to pull away with two minutes remaining. They went on a 10-0 run to take a 41-30 lead into the break, with all the points coming from Cole Rabedeaux (Sr.-Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) and Luke Reader (Fr.-Bangor, WI).
Eau Claire finished the first shooting 52% from the field, while nailing four three-pointers. Rabedeaux finished the half with 18 points, while Reader contributed nine off the bench.
The hot shooting from UWEC would continue throughout the second half as well. They would go 15-26 from the field during the period, helping them further strengthen their lead over the Blue Devils.
The Blugolds added 39 in the second while playing tough defense, holding Stout to just 21 percent shooting themselves. They also forced eight Stout turnovers, while blocking four shots during the half.
Rabedeaux finished off the night as the leading scorer once again for Eau Claire, with 25 points on 11-18 shooting. Rabedeaux remains second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in scoring, now sitting at 20.2 points per game. Beyond Rabedeaux, Reader added 13, and Carter Brooks (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/North) had nine. On the defensive end, Brock Voigt (Fr.-Sun Prairie, WI) blocked four shots total.
The Blugolds improve to 13-6 overall and are now .500 in the WIAC, at 4-4. They are back on the road again next Wednesday, as they travel to UW-Oshkosh. The action will tip off at 7 PM. Follow the Blugolds on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
