By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated Whitman College (Wash.) Friday night, 78-61. The victory came in the First Round of the Division III NCAA Tournament, the Blugolds first appearance since the 2001 season.
Eau Claire had a great offensive performance in the first half, going 16-31 (52%) from the field and 6-11 (55%) from three. That shooting helped the Blugolds build a 16-7 lead within the first five minutes.
Whitman would tighten the game to 31-29 at the five-minute mark, but the Blugolds responded with consecutive three-pointers from Carter Brooks (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/North) and Cam Kuepers (Jr.-Madison, WI/Lakeside Lutheran). Eau Claire went into the halftime break with the 41-36 advantage.
UWEC exploded with 15 consecutive points to begin the second half, going up 56-36. Except for a run from Whitman with three minutes left to make it an 11-point game, that comfortable lead would hold the entire second half for the Blugolds.
On the game Eau Claire shot 55% from the field, despite facing constant, full-court defensive pressure. They built a dominant advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Blues 50-35.
Cole Rabedeaux (Sr.-Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) led the way for Eau Claire, notching 20 points on 9-15 shooting. Kuepers and Brooks also had 18 points, with Brooks also grabbing 11 rebounds. Guard Blake Wacholz (Sr.-Lakeville, MN/South) posted a career-high 15 rebounds, while totaling five assists.
With the win, the Blugolds move on to the Second Round, where they will face the winner of Saint John's (Minn.) and Ripon (Wis.). That game will be this Saturday, March 7th, and is scheduled to tip at 7 PM.
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