By Matt Halverson, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated Coe College in day one of their Holiday Classic, 72-69.

The Blugolds started the game hot with threes from starting guard Tyson Kalien (Sr.- Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi), opening up a lead that would reach as many as 15 in the first half. Kalien went into halftime 5 of 7 from behind the arc, with 17 points total. After establishing an early lead, however, the Kohawks, came storming back with a late push at the end of the half, shrinking the Blugold lead down to seven.

The Kohawks shot 37.5 percent from the field as a team in the first half before carrying their rally into the second half, putting together a 10-1 run, tying the game at 40.

Each team put together rallies through the second half with four lead changes down the stretch until the last the Kohawks found themselves up 69-67 with 1:02 left to play. The stifling Blugold defense held them scoreless for the final minute, led by George Diekelman (So.- Stevens Point, WI/SPASH) with two clutch free throws in the final four seconds to seal the victory for the Blugolds.

Kalien led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 66 percent from three. Diekelman added 10 points, and was a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line.

The Blugolds wrap up the Holiday cClassic in the championship game Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. against St. Olaf in Zorn Arena.