The UW-River Falls Falcons (4-4) went into UW-Eau Claire (3-5) and left with their second straight WIAC win led by
Grant Erickson who finished with a career high 22 points going 13-19 from the free throw line. The Falcons topped the Blugolds 65-59 in the win.
The I-94 rivalry was a tightly contested battle throughout.
Connor Goodwin scored the games first basket just a minute in and the Falcons would lead or stay tied until the 13:02 mark when UWEC took the lead and went on a little run going up by six with just over ten minutes left in the half.
UWRF attacked the basket all game long going to the line often led by Erickson who had three trips to the line in the first half. With 6:18 left to go in the first half
Joe Deppe tied the game back up hitting a shot from behind the arc. UWEC hit a three of their own to take the lead back before
Matt Timlin knocked one in with 4:20 left in the half to once again give the Falcons a lead.
The two teams continued trading baskets with five lead changes in the first half. UWEC took a 27-26 lead into halftime.
The Falcons jumped out to a quick second half start going up 34-29 with 17:40 left to go when an Erickson steal led to a Goodwin basket on the other end of the court. The two teams again changed the lead five different times in the second half but after a layup with 6:25 left in the game put UWRF up 51-49 the Falcons would never trail again.
Free throws made a big impact on the game as UWRF got to the line 38 times hitting on 24 them (63.2) while the Blugolds just got their 14 times making nine (64.3). Erickson and
CJ Lewis both sinked free throws down the stretch for UWRF to seal the victory.
The Falcons went 18-42 (42.9) from the field and 5-15 from behind the arc (33.3) led by Erickson's 22, with Goodwin notching 11 and Rockett scoring eight. Erickson also had four assists and two steals and
Jon Christensen also had two steals and a team high nine boards.
UWRF will play at home against UW-La Crosse Wednesday evening with Coach
Jeff Berkhof going for his 100th career victory. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
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