STEVENS POINT, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team opened conference play with a 64-50 loss to No. 23-UW-Stevens Point Wednesday night at Quandt Fieldhouse in Stevens Point.

After a low-scoring start to the game, Stevens Point led 19-18 with 2:27 to go until halftime but then stretched its lead to eight at the break. The Pointers closed the half on a 10-3 run and made their final five shots of the half.

The Blugolds shot 41.2 percent (seven for 17) from the field and 66.7 percent (four for six) from the three-point line while the Pointers shot 42.9 percent (12 for 28) from the field and 28.6 (two for seven) from behind the arc in the first half.

Stevens Point came out strong in the second mounting a 14-point lead. But the Blugolds used an 8-0 run to trim the deficit to six with 8:02 remaining. Eau Claire got as close as five with 6:46 remaining but Pointers responded with a 9-2 run to re-establish a double-digit lead with 4:25 to go. The Pointers led by double figures for the rest of the game.

Eric Effertz (Sr.-Ladysmith, WI) led a balanced UW-Eau Claire attack with 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Lewis Mau (Sr.-Colfax, WI) and Tyson Kalien (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, WI) each had nine for the Blugolds, who held a 19-8 advantage in bench scoring.

Stevens Point shot 48.9 percent (23 for 47) from the field in the game, including 57.9 (11 for 19) percent after the break. UW-Eau Claire finished shooting at a 40.5 percent (17-42) but was seven for 15 (46.7 percent) from behind the arc. The Pointers held a 10-2 advantage in second chance points.

The Blugolds (3-4, 0-1 WIAC) will be back in action on Saturday as they host UW-River Falls in WIAC action. The 1999-2000 squad that was the NCAA National Runner-up will be recognized at halftime. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.

-JM-