OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team won its fourth straight game with a 75-67 victory over Saint Mary's University (Minn.) at the UW-Oshkosh Classic today.

Eau Claire and Saint Mary's played close in the opening minutes and were tied 13-13 after the first seven minutes.

But following a jumper by Alex Anderson (Fr.-Oshkosh, Wis./North) at 11:56, the Blugolds went ahead and never relinquished the lead the rest of the way. His shot started a 12-0 run for the Blugolds that lasted more than six minutes. The closest Saint Mary's got the rest of the half was six points while the Blugolds led by as much as 15 points.

In the second half, the Blugolds were up by as much as 14 points in the opening minutes but an 8-0 run by Saint Mary's cut the Eau Claire lead to just six (43-37) five minutes into the half.

But again Eau Claire was able to get its lead back to double-digits and the closest Saint Mary's was able to get the rest of the night was seven points.

Leading Eau Claire was Nick Craggs (Jr.-Kimberly, Wis.) with 19 points while Anderson added 13, 11 of which came in the first half.  James Pfitzinger (Sr.-West St. Paul, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) led with seven rebounds while he tallied 11 points.

Eau Claire improves to 5-1 on the season while Saint Mary's drops to 0-4.

The Blugolds will now have a week off and will be back in action next Saturday at UW-La Crosse for their first conference game of the year.

-KM-