PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) — The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team was eliminated from the WIAC tournament in their last game against UW-Oshkosh. But there were still two games left to be played in the season, including Wednesday night when they traveled to UW-Platteville. The Pioneers had a dominant first half and never looked back as the Blugolds fell 60-34 at Bo Ryan Court.

The Blugolds (10-14, 3-12) held their biggest lead of the game, three points, less than one minute into the game and that was as good as it would get. From there, it was all Pioneers (14-10, 9-6). UW-Platteville took a commanding 36-15 lead into halftime.

The second half was much better for the Blugolds, but it was too much of a deficit to overcome from the first half. The Pioneers still outscored the Blugolds in the second half, but it was only by a 24-19 margin.

The Pioneers did extend the lead to 28 at 11:29 of the second half for their biggest lead of the game.

For the Blugolds, Adam Hjelter (So.-Hutchinson, Minn.) was the only player to break double digits. He finished the game with 10 points and four rebounds. Kurtis Moody (So.-Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes) was the second leading scorer with eight points.

Lewis Mau (Jr.-Colfax, Wis.) led the Blugolds with nine rebounds and no player finished with more than one assist.

The Blugolds were just 25.5 percent (13-for-51) from the field, while the Pioneers finished at 41.1 percent (25-for-56). UW-Eau Claire did hit four 3-pointers, including two by Hjetler, as they were 21.1 percent (4-for-19) from beyond the arc. The Blugolds were also 4-for-8 from the free throw line and they pulled down 35 rebounds.

With just one game left in the season, the Blugolds will wrap up their season this Saturday at home against UW-Whitewater for Alumni Day. The game is set to start at 7 p.m. at Ken Anderson Court in Zorn Arena. 

-JM-