APPLETON, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team was back on the road for the last time in the year 2020 as they traveled to Lawrence University for their final nonconference matchup before finals and the holiday break. After trailing by 13 points at halftime, the Blugolds grinded out a 103-96 victory in overtime.
The first half showcased an early battle between both sides as they traded baskets back and forth. UW-Eau Claire held their first lead three minutes in as David Ijadimbola (So. – Brooklyn Park, MN/Park Center) capitalized on his free throw after being fouled on his second layup of the game to make it 7-6. Alex Voigt (Jr. – Sun Prairie, WI) extended the lead two possessions later to 12-8 with his lone three-pointer of the night.
The Lawrence Vikings answered Voigt's initial bucket with a layup and four straight three-pointers to put the UWEC deficit at seven points. LU ended the first half with ten baskets from beyond the arc and never wavered their lead to UWEC with a halftime score of 50-37.
In the second half, an 9-0 run by the Blugolds after just 2:30 to play helped swing some momentum back their way as they closed the gap to a one possession game. From there, the perimeter shooting cashed in for just one team as UWEC took the lead back, 65-64, with 8:40 to go.
As time winded down, the visiting Blugolds increased their lead to as much as nine points with 1:34 left in the second half. The home squad wouldn't go away without a fight as the Vikings kept fouling UWEC and the Blugolds couldn't knock down both free throws. With a three-point lead and only second remaining, Lawrence's Brad Sendell tied the game at 85-85 with a deep three-pointer with two seconds on the clock. After a timeout, UWEC couldn't knock down the game winner on the last possession of regulation.
As both teams entered their first overtime period of their seasons, it was UW-Eau Claire coming out to a hot start once again as Casper Michael (So. – Merrill, WI) hit an opening three and Brock Voigt (Jr. – Sun Prairie, WI) knocked down two free throws for a 90-85 lead. Despite a three-point answer from the Vikings in the following possession, both sides traded turnovers and rebounds to give UWEC control with 3:03 left. Carter Brooks (Sr. – Lakeville, MN/North) tallied a steal and a block on back-to-back Lawrence possessions allowing the Blugolds to increase their lead to seven points. Spencer Page (Sr. – Rice Lake, WI) sealed the deal with the final points of the game with a pair of free throws making it 103-96.
The Blugolds (8-4, WIAC 1-1) will begin their fall semester finals on Wednesday, December 15th before the holidays. UWEC will be back shortly after Christmas as they return to Zorn Arena and host St. Olaf College on Thursday, December 30th at 7PM.
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