ST. PAUL, MN. (blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team fell just short of upsetting 13th ranked St. Thomas on their home court on Sunday, losing 78-74.
UW-Eau Claire started out hot, scoring the first seven points of the game. UST came right back and the score remained within two points before the Blugolds went on a run, taking a 48-37 lead at the half.
The Blugolds maintained their lead until halfway through the second half. The Tommies took advantage of several Blugolds turnovers to bring the score within three with 10:44 left in the half.
St. Thomas' Grant Shaeffer hit several key shots to rally the Tommies and with the score tied at 72 with 1:26 left in the game, the Tommies' defense stifled the Blugolds, forcing two key turnovers. UST hit six of nine free throws to seal the victory.
Adam Hjelter (Jr.-Hutchinson, MN) led the Blugolds with 19 points, shooting 50 percent (6-12) from the field, including three-for-six from behind the arc. Hjelter also dished out five assists.
The Blugold bench accounted for 43 points, led by Tyson Kalien (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, WI), Kurtis Moody (Jr.-Pequot Lakes, MN) and Cavan Stackpool (Jr.-Virginia, MN) scoring 14, 10 and nine points respectively.
As a team, the Blugolds shot an impressive 62 percent (29 for 47) from the field and 59 percent (10 for 17) for three's. However, UW-Eau Claire struggled at the free throw line, shooting only 46 percent (six for 13).
The Blugold defense held the Tommies to 44 percent from the field and 40 percent for threes. But the Tommies made up the different from the charity stripe, nailing 26 of 35 attempts (74 percent).
The Tommies out-rebounded the Blugolds 31-20 and tallied 13 second-chance points. UST also took advantage of 17 Blugold turnovers resulting in 20 points. UW-Eau Claire forced seven Tommie turnovers.
St. Thomas' Grant Shaeffer led all scorers with 22 points while teammate Connor Nord had a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Blugolds will have their home opener on Tuesday, November 18 as they host Viterbo University at 6 p.m. in Zorn Arena.
-JM-
