Duax scores game-high 22 points in 83–58 loss at UW–Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE — Sophomore Robert Duax (Dubuque/Hempstead) scored a team-high 22 points, hit four 3-pointers and came up with five steals, but the UW–Platteville men's basketball team came out on the wrong side of a 83–58 decision at UW–Eau Claire Wednesday night.

Junior forward Chris Duff matched Duax's game-high 22 points and added four rebounds, two assists and two blocks to lead the Blugolds to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory on Student Appreciation Night at Zorn Arena.

Junior guard George Diekelman posted a near-triple double of 14 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and two steals as UW–Eau Claire improved to 14–4 overall and 4–3 in the WIAC. Senior Jake Martinek added 12 points and five boards for the winners, who led 42–22 at the half.

Senior forward Cory Vaassen (Dickeyville/Cuba City) finished with eight points and a team-high six rebounds for the Pioneers, who fell to 8–10, 1–6. Freshman Carter Voelker (Kiel) chipped in six points and two rebounds off the bench. Junior Trey Sigel (Rock Island, Ill.) and Colin Connelly (Guttenburg, IA) added five points each.

The Pioneers opened the game on a 12–3 run, buoyed by back-to-back 3-pointers from Duax and Sigel, but the host Blugolds responded with a 17–0 run over the next six minutes and never let up.

The Pioneers return to action Saturday at home against UW–Stout on Alumni Day. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The Blue Devils (12–6, 3–4 WIAC) suffered a third-straight loss to fifth-ranked UW–River Falls (17–1, 7–0) Wednesday night, 70–58.

By Jason Nihles, UW–Platteville Athletics