COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team lost their game to Saint John's (Minn.) Saturday night, 78-69. It was their Second Round game in the Division III NCAA Tournament.
Box Score
Cole Rabedeaux (Sr.-Poulso, WA/North Kitsap) scored the first points of the game for the Blugolds. Eau Claire would take a 37-35 lead into to the halftime break, despite free throws from Saint John's to tighten up the game.
Spencer Page (So.-Rice Lake, WI) paced the Blugolds in scoring during the first half, recording 13 points on 5-7 shooting from the field. Rabedeaux finished with six points during the period, while totaling two steals.
Two consecutive layups from the Johnnies helped them build an early lead in the second half. They would build a seven-point advantage midway through the second.
The Blugolds made it a six-point game within the final few minutes, but the Johnnies managed to pull away late. They hit free throws to seal the victory and go on to the Sweet 16 of the Division III NCAA Tournament.
Eau Claire continued to shoot the ball well, going 27-53 (51%) from the field. They also went 7-14 from three-point, with Page hitting four three-pointers.
Page finished as the leading scorer for the Blugolds, scoring 18 points and grabbing four rebounds. Rabedeaux added 16, while Cam Kuepers (Jr.-Madison, WI/Lakeside Lutheran) had 13. In addition to his scoring, Rabedeaux also played great defense, compiling three steals.
UWEC finishes the season 20-10 overall, making their first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly two decades. They finished 8-6 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, coming just short of a WIAC Championship.
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