EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire men's and women's basketball teams were in action today with the men at home and the women on the road against UW-River Falls.
Men's Basketball
UW-Eau Claire 59, UW-River Falls 57
The men's basketball team got up by 17 points against UW-River Falls but had to hold off the Falcons to beat them 59-57 on Ken Anderson Court in Zorn Arena tonight. Eau Claire closed the first half with a jumper from Jacob Kohner to lead by eight at halftime and then started the second half with a 9-0 run to take a 42-25 lead three minutes into the half. With seven minutes left in the game, the Blugolds were up by 15 (55-40) but River Falls outscored the Blugolds 17-4 the rest of the way. River Falls got back to within one point with less than 50 seconds left but Adam Hjelter hit one free throw with 42 seconds left to put the Blugolds back up by two. River Falls missed two three-pointers after that, giving the Blugolds the win. Three Blugolds reached double figures in scoring with Hjelter and Lewis Mau leading the way with 15 points each.
Women's Basketball
UW-River Falls 66, UW-Eau Claire 61 (2 OT)
The women's basketball team led by 13 points at halftime but UW-River Falls came back and eventually beat the Blugolds 66-61 in double overtime at the Karges Center tonight. Five minutes into the second half, the Blugolds still were up by 11 but over the next five minutes, River Falls outscored the Blugolds 13-6 to get to within four (38-34). The Falcons took the lead with less than six minutes to play in regulation and the teams played back and forth the rest of the way to end the second half with a 51-51 tie. The first overtime ended in a 57-57 tie while the Falcons outscored the Blugolds 5-2 over the final 40 seconds in the second overtime to win by five. Four Blugolds reached double figures in scoring with Teenie Lichtfuss leading the way with 17 points.