EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated UW-Stout on Friday night, 74-52. The victory completes the season sweep for Eau Claire in the annual "War on I-94" rivalry.
The first basket of the game for Eau Claire came off a three from Carter Brooks (Sr.-Lakeville, MN/North). Brooks and Cam Kuepers (Sr.-Madison, WI/Lakeside Lutheran) would combine for the first nine points of the game for the Blugolds.
Eau Claire would take their first lead of the night off a layup from Brock Voigt (So.-Sun Prairie, WI), coming with just under 16 minutes remaining in the first half. They would take that lead into halftime break, up 38-28.
The Blugold offense shot 62% from the field in the first half and went 6-11 from three-point territory. Kuepers, who hit the game-winning three in the first game of the series, went into halftime with a team-leading 14 points.
A pair of free throws from Spencer Page (Jr.-Rice Lake, WI) began an 11-0 UWEC run to begin the second.
The Blugolds would hold the lead the remainder of the game, extending the lead as high as 22 points.
It was a tremendous night for Eau Claire all the way around. They shot 56% from the field, 44% from three and 85% from the free throw line. They also had a great night on defense, holding Stout under 30% from the field.
Kuepers would lead all players with 23 points off 7-13 shooting. David Ijadimbola (Fr.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Park Center) also crossed the double-digit scoring threshold, managing 12 points.
Eau Claire will be back on the road next week, squaring off against UW-River Falls on February 17th. The Blugolds took the season series against the Falcons last year, and will look to do the same in 2021. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
