OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team battled 23rd-ranked UW-Oshkosh from start to finish, but fell to the Titans 74-63 on the road on Wednesday. A Titan run with less than 10 minutes left proved to be a difference-maker in an otherwise close contest.
UW-Eau Claire forward Brock Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) poured in 20 points in the first half in a dominant 8 for 9 showing from the floor and finished with 27 points. That total is the second-best mark in a single game in the senior's career.
The Blugolds built an early 19-13 lead after baskets by Voigt and Michael Casper (Jr. – Merrill, Wis.), which stood as the largest advantage for either side before halftime. UW-Eau Claire also had a six-point lead at 27-21 in the later stages of the opening half, but the Titans responded with a 7-0 run to take their first lead since the 17:41 mark. The Blugolds recovered and went in front again, but UW-Oshkosh used a 6-0 run to take a five-point lead with 1:52 remaining. However, the Blugolds scored six of the final eight points in the half to make it a one-point halftime deficit at 36-35.
Each side traded runs across the first eight minutes of the second half. UW-Oshkosh had an eight-point lead with 13:44 remaining, but a 9-3 Blugolds run cut the deficit to 53-51 just two minutes later.
The Titans used an 8-2 run beginning at the 8:46 mark to turn a one-possession game into a nine-point advantage with five and a half minutes left. It proved to be decisive, as the closest the Blugolds got the rest of the way was within six points of the lead.
In addition to leading the team in scoring, Voigt secured eight rebounds. He was the only Blugold to score in double figures. David Ijadimbola (Jr. – Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center) and Casper scored eight points apiece. Carter Huschka (Jr. – Farmington, Minn.) had five points and six rebounds. Spencer Page (Sr. – Rice Lake, Wis.) contributed five points and three rebounds off the bench.
The duo of Hunter Plamann and Levi Borchert carried the Titans. Plamann scored 33 points, and Borchert had 17 points and 16 rebounds.
UW-Eau Claire shot 46% from the field and out-rebounded the Titans 34-32.
The Blugolds return to Zorn Arena on Saturday, Feb. 4. They host UW-Whitewater in a WIAC clash at 5 p.m.
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