The Pioneers led 42-40 when they put the defensive clamps on and going on a 10-0 run. Dan Archambault's two free throws at 13:06 were the last Blugold points until he made two more with 4:45 remaining in the game. UWEC came within five points with 20 seconds left at 59-54, but came no closer.
The Pioneers, winners of five straight, improved to 12-5 overall and 7-2 in the WIAC. They remained one game behind UW-Stevens Point in the conference race. The Pioneers play host to the defending NCAA Division III national champions and top-ranked Pointers Wednesday at 7 p.m. with first place on the line.
Brad Reitzner scored 16 points, and LeVon Crawford had 15 points and nine rebounds for UWP. Sean Krause added 10 points, while Mark Gossens grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.
Dan Archambeault and Casey Drake combined for 36 of the Blugolds' 54 points, scoring 19 and 17, respectively.
The Pioneers' last 10 points came from the free-throw line, as they made 21 of 26. The Blugolds shot 55.6 percent (10-18) from the line and missed five in a row with under four minutes to play. UWP also held a big advantage on the boards, 37-26. Sixteen Pioneer rebounds came from the offensive end, leading to 21 second-chance points, compared to two for UW-Eau Claire (10-7, 4-5). Gossens grabbed eight offensive rebounds.