The Blugolds men’s basketball team has not won a game at UW-Platteville’s Willams Field House since 1991, and the losing streak continued there Wednesday night.
The Pioneers downed the Blugolds 73-55 Wednesday night in the WIAC matchup.
Although the Blugolds went into the contest tied for first in the WIAC, UW-Eau Claire couldn’t surpass Platteville, the ninth-ranked team in the conference.
Even with the WIAC player of the week, senior Matt Ferminach, on their side, the Blugolds could only muster 55 points to finish out the game.
The first half of the contest ended with the Blugolds trailing the Pioneers 30-24.
Although the score remained close throughout the first half, the Blugolds only held a brief one-point lead.
Eau Claire outshot the Pioneers 25-20 in the first half.
Sophomore Jason Larson contributed 13 points in the game, only one of which was in the first half.
Senior Sherm Carstensen put 10 points on the board, all in the first half.
In the second half, Platteville lengthened its lead.
The Blugolds were not in control of the board at all during the second half.
For the game, Eau Claire completed 75 percent of its free throws, 23.8 percent of its three-point attempts and shot only 34.5 percent from the floor.
These percentages mark the Blugolds’ lowest shooting averages this season.
Carstensen made zero of his six three-point attempts, while Fermanich completed two of his five three-point shots.
Regardless of the loss, the Blugolds still are in first place in the WIAC conference standings.
They are engaged in a four-way-tie with UW-River Falls, UW-Whitewater and UW-Stevens Point.
The Blugolds take their 15-8 record as they head into the final game of their regular season which is against UW-Oshkosh Saturday at Oshkosh.