EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated Hamline University 73-62 on Saturday in Zorn Arena.
The game was close with Eau Claire maintaining a small lead for most of the first half, but never had more than a six point margin. Hamline went on a late run to close out the first half to tie the score at 33 as the teams headed to the locker room.
Hamline was hot to start the second half as they mounted a 10-point lead, but Eau Claire would fight their way back. A Cavan Stackpool (Jr.-Virginia, MN) three-pointer sparked a 20-0 run for the Blugolds. Eau Claire would never look back as the 20-point swing gave the home squad a 57-47 lead with just under 10 minutes left to play.
The Blugold lead would climb as high as 15 points as Eau Claire controlled the last few minutes of the game to cruise to a 73-62 victory.
The Blugolds were led by Tyson Kalien (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, WI), who came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points. Kurtis Moody (Jr.-Pequot Lakes, MN) and Jacob Kohner (Jr.-Bloomington, MN) each chipped in 10.
The Pipers had an even scoring attack, with Austin Johnson, Bennett Cooper and Dior Ford all scoring 12 points.
The Blugolds will travel to Stevens Point to open the conference season on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
-JM-
