OSHKOSH, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team held off a second-half push from Ohio Wesleyan for a 58-50 win over the Battling Bishops on Friday at Oshkosh Arena. The victory finished off a 2-0 showing at the tournament for the Blugolds.
UW-Eau Claire ran out to a large lead in the first half. The Blugolds turned a three-point advantage into a 17-point lead with a 14-0 run midway through the opening half. Cade Hall (Jr. - Mauston, Wis.) and Drew Maloney (So. - St. Charles, Minn.) both made 3-pointers during the stretch. The lead grew to 19 in the late stages of the half before the Blugolds eventually carried a 33-18 advantage into the break.
UW-Eau Claire continued to stay ahead with a strong start to the second half. David Ijadimbola (Jr. - Brooklyn Park, Minn./Park Center) and Michael Casper (Jr. - Merrill, Wis.) hit a 3-pointer apiece as the lead ballooned to 56-31 with 8:42 remaining. The Battling Bishops cut into the deficit with a 19-2 spurt to end the game, but the hole was too deep to climb out of.
Brock Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) had game highs in points (14) and rebounds (six). He was named to the all-tournament team.
Alex Voigt (Sr. - Sun Prairie, Wis.) and Casper scored eight points apiece, and Gunnar Tebon (Jr. - Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) was close behind with seven of his own. Casper also had four rebounds. Ijadimbola finished with six points and four rebounds, and Hall had five points and two rebounds. In all, 10 different Blugolds scored. Twenty points came from the bench.
UW-Eau Claire held Ohio Wesleyan to a 19% clip from 3-point range and forced 13 turnovers. The Blugolds shot 40% from the field.
The Blugolds (9-4, 1-1) return to WIAC play on Wednesday, Jan. 4, when they host UW-Oshkosh at Zorn Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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