EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team gave 23rd-ranked UW-La Crosse everything it could handle, but ultimately came up just short in a 68-66 defeat on Saturday at Zorn Arena. The Eagles made a pair of free throws with five seconds left to break a tie and win the game.
The Blugolds trailed by 10 in the first half, but fought their way back to tie the game late. An 8-0 Blugold run across the final two minutes capped by a basket from Brock Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) knotted up the score at 66 with 27 seconds left. However, the Eagles went to the free throw line with five seconds remaining and made both attempts to go ahead 68-66. The Blugolds tried to force overtime as time expired, but their shot was blocked and the Eagles escaped Zorn Arena with a victory.
The ending nearly completed an impressive comeback bid from UW-Eau Claire. The Eagles used a strong showing defensively to establish a 32-22 advantage across the game's first 17-plus minutes. However, an old-fashioned 3-point play from Carter Huschka (Jr. - Farmington, Minn.) energized the Blugolds and started a 12-4 run to close the first half. It trimmed the deficit to 37-34 at halftime.
UW-Eau Claire remained within striking distance for the entire second half, rarely trailing by more than five. The Blugolds forced the first tie of the game since it was 0-0 when Alex Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) made a 3-pointer with 8:08 left to play. It brought the two sides even at 56 points apiece. UW-La Crosse answered with a 10-2 run, but it didn't sink the Blugolds. A run of their own started with a layup from Brock Voigt and ended when he made a jumper to tie it with 27 seconds remaining. Those were the final points the Blugolds scored, and the Eagles' late free throws and defense made the difference.
Huschka led all scorers with 19 points and added five rebounds. Alex Voigt finished with 14 points and two rebounds, and Brock Voigt tallied 10 points and three rebounds. David Ijadimbola (Jr. - Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center), Gunnar Tebon (Jr. - Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) and Nolan Blair (Jr. - Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) all scored five points apiece.
UW-Eau Claire shot 46% from the field and 35% from 3-point range. Crucially, the Eagles were a perfect 14 of 14 from the free throw line.
The Blugolds will look to bounce back when they host UW-River Falls at Zorn Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. UW-Eau Claire won the last meeting between the two 71-53 on Nov. 30.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
