STEVENS POINT, Wis. (blugolds.com) — A late run by UW-Stevens Point proved costly as the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team fell to the Pointers 73-70 on the road on Saturday. The Blugolds started well, but couldn't quite hold on in the second half.
As they often have this season, the Blugolds got out to a hot start. They ran out to an early 8-2 lead with help from 3-pointers by David Ijadimbola (Jr. - Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center) and Michael Casper (Jr. - Merrill, Wis.). UW-Eau Claire stretched that lead to 17-8 later in the half, but the Pointers began to sharpen from there.
UW-Stevens Point came back to tie the game on multiple instances in the first half, and the two sides traded leads throughout the final four minutes of the period. Ultimately, the Blugolds entered halftime with a slim 36-35 advantage. UW-Eau Claire shot 48% from the field in the first half, but the Pointers checked in at 50%. UW-Eau Claire made eight 3-pointers before the break.
The Blugolds remained in the lead for much of the second half. A 7-0 run to open the half put them in front 43-35. However, each time the Blugolds made a push, the Pointers had an answer. UW-Eau Claire led by nine with 13:32 to go, but UW-Stevens Point closed the gap with a 12-4 run to pull within one of the lead at 52-51. The Blugolds held on for a few more minutes before the Pointers took their first lead of the half at 58-57 with 5:29 remaining.
With the score tied at 60 and four minutes left on the clock, the Pointers pulled away for good with an 8-2 run. Despite the late deficit, the Blugolds made a push in an attempt force overtime or win the game. They trailed 70-64 with 43 seconds left, but cut the lead to 71-70 with help from five points by Alex Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.). The Pointers hit two free throws with three seconds left to make it 73-70, and Casper nearly made a deep 3-pointer as time expired. The shot went in, but it was released just after the buzzer sounded and didn't count.
Casper led the Blugolds with 16 points, which was the game high. Voigt and Drew Maloney (So. - St. Charles, Minn.) added 13 points and six rebounds apiece, and Ijadimbola scored 11 points, passed four assists and made four steals. Spencer Page (Sr. - Rice Lake, Wis.) had eight points and six rebounds and now sits 11 points away from surpassing 1,000 for his career.
UW-Eau Claire made 11 3-pointers and shot 39% from behind the arc. They shot 42% overall.
The Blugolds (11-6, 3-3) will look to bounce back when they host UW-Stout to start a rivalry doubleheader on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Zorn Arena. The men's game begins the night of basketball, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
