The Pioneers led by as many as 17 at 39-22 with 18:05 to play before the Blugolds chipped away at the margin. UWEC, who earlier this year overcame a 19-point second-half deficit to win vs. UW-River Falls, shaved the lead down to 52-49. Krause, however, made four straight free throws, and Crawford took a nice feed from Jeff Skemp for a layup and a 58-49 advantage. The Blugolds came no closer than the final score, when Zach Ryan made a three-point basket at the buzzer.
Both teams are now 8-7 overall, with UWP improving to 3-4 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and Eau Clarie dipping to 1-6.
Crawford made 7-11 from the field and added seven rebounds and five steals to his night. The senior forward has now made 36 of his last 53 field-goal attempts (67.9 percent). Krause, who missed the first five games with an injury, scored in double figures for the first time this year. The junior guard also showed he may be nearing full capacity by sprawling over the Blugold bench attempting to save a ball.
Ryan paced the Blugolds with 19 points, while Jared Bardon added 18 points, and Matt Riley scored 13.
The Pioneers return to action Wednesday at UW-Stevens Point in the first meeting of the defending co-WIAC champions. UW-Platteville will take aim at the Pointers' 28-game home winning streak. UWSP stopped the Pioneers' 96-game regular season home streak in the 1999-2000 season