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at La Crosse 81 UW-Eau Claire 76 (OT) Before 1000 people (many of them fans) at Mitchell Hall, La Crosse won for the first time in 27 tries against Eau Claire. The win snapped a streak that dated back to the 1981-82 season. It was the definitely the second most exciting win of the year (Oshkosh).
First of all, it helped to avenge the forfeit that was given earlier in the year due to a scheudling snafu. In addition, it was on TV, so all those Blugold fans could watch their playoff hopes go down the tube while on the tube.
The first half was exciting. La Crosse came out playing well and took the early lead. However, Eau Claire went on a 10-0 run to push their lead to 10. At the break, they led 33-28 despite not getting an offensive rebound. In the second half, the game continued with EC maintaining control. However, the Eagles slowly crept back and closed the gap to within 1 after an 8-0 run with 6:20 left in regulation. Then, after a few Blugold free throws, Eric Dudek hit a pair of field goals to tie the game at 54 with 3:42 left. The Eagles' didn't stop there. Wes Warren and Ryan Eklund hit jumpers to give UW-L the lead by 3 with 2:12 left. After four points by Warren pushed the lead to 5 with 1:12 left, the Eagles appeared to be in the catbird's seat. However, the Catbirds left La Crosse several years ago, and despite having a 6 point lead and the ball with :51 left, the Eagles would need the overtime to prevail. Why? Because Chuck Simpson, Wes Warren, and Ryan Eklund were shooting free throws at one of those baskets from the Grandpa Shaq commercials. You know the kind,they are always moving. Well, as EC was hitting a 3 and a tip dunk, Simpson missed two, then Warren missed two, and then Eklund hit the second of his two shots. With :20 left, Rob Slavens fouled Jeff LeClaire, and he made both free throws to tie the game at 64. After a La Crosse time-out, Melvin Vealsley's shot missed the mark, and we were headed to overtime. In extra session, Mel Veasley hit a lay-up to give the Eagles a lead they would never relinquish. The Eagles buckled down on their free throws in the overtime, as they would hit their last 10 free throws to escape with a five point victory. Down three with time running out, UWEC missed a 3 pointer that could've tied it, and the subsequent foul gave the end margin. Wes Warren played all 45 minutes and led the Eagles with 21 points. He also added 7 rebounds. Others in double figures for LAX were Melvin Veasley's 12 points and 13 rebounds, Jay Daly with 12, Eric Dudek with 10, and Ryan Eklund with a career high 9 off the bench. The Eagles hit 22-33 from the line, and only turned the ball over 9 times in 45 minutes. UWEC was led by Cory Kulig's 18 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocked shots. Jim Anderson, Jeff LeClaire, and Andy Fisher had 10 points for the Blugolds, who dropped to 15-7 (7-7 WSUC) with the loss. With the win, La Crosse (10-12, 3-11 WSUC) has now beaten the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place teams in the conference and lost to everybody else (twice).
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