Box Score ST. LOUIS, MO. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday night, falling to No. 7 Washington-St. Louis 56-55 in the championship game of the Lopata Classic.
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After hot-shooting on Friday night, the Blugolds cooled down versus the 7th-ranked Bears. But the Blugold defense held WashU in check as the two teams were knotted at 26 at the half.
The second half also proved to be a low scoring affair, with both teams shooting 40 percent from the field.
Cam Kuepers (Jr. – Madison/Lakeside Lutheran) pulled Eau Claire within one with a big three pointer with 37 seconds left in the game. A defensive stop on the other end gave the Blugolds the ball back with 13 seconds to go. After timeouts called by both teams, Cole Rabedeaux (Sr.-Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap) had a chance for last second heroics for the second night in a row but this time would come up just short as the Bears escaped with a win.
Rabedeaux paced the Blugolds with 14 points while Carter Brooks (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/North) followed with 12. Both also earned All-Tournament honors for their efforts.
Eau Claire (4-1) will return to Zorn Arena on Tuesday as they host Wartburg College at 5 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device.
