EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team got down early and couldn't recovered, falling 74-55 to No. 2-ranked UW-Stevens Point on Ken Anderson Court in Zorn Arena tonight.
Eau Claire hit just two baskets in the first six minutes as Stevens Point jumped out to a 17-4 lead. But the Blugolds then outscored the Pointers 12-7 to get to within eight with six minutes left in the half. Stevens Point led by 11 at halftime (35-26).
With the Blugolds down by 10 three minutes into the second half, the Pointers used a 13-2 run to get up by 21 (57-36) and the closest the Blugolds could get the rest of the way was 16 points.
The Pointers outshot the Blugolds 53.7 percent (29-for-54) to 46.7 percent (21-for-45) and outrebounded the Blugolds 31-22. A big difference in the game came on turnovers as the Pointers outscored the Blugolds 19-4 with Eau Claire committing 12 turnovers while Stevens Point had eight.
Adam Hjelter (So.-Hutchinson, Minn.) led three Blugolds in double-figures as he scored 19 points. Kurtis Moody (So.-Pequot Lakes, Minn.) led the team with four rebounds while also scoring 10 points.
Eau Claire is now 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in the conference while Stevens Point improves to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in WIAC play.
Saturday the Blugolds will be on the road at UW-La Crosse. Action will get underway at 7 p.m.
-KM-