EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – UW-Stout led the entire game against the UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team and went on to defeat the Blugolds 70-54 on Ken Anderson Court in Zorn Arena today.
Over the first six minutes, the Blugolds scored just one point as the Blue Devils got out to a 10-1 lead. Eau Claire managed to get to within five points three times during the first half. After Stout went back up by double-figures late in the opening half, the closest the Blugolds would get the rest of the way was six points just over a minute before halftime.
To close out the half, Stout's Aaron Jenny scored a basket at the buzzer to give the Blue Devils a 32-22 lead.
In the second half, while the Blugolds hit the first shot, Stout went back up by 10 at 18:42 and held a double-digit lead the rest of the game. Stout led by as many as 18 points on four occasions in the second half.
Nick Craggs (Sr.-Kimberly, Wis.) finished the game with a double-double to lead the Blugolds with 16 points while also leading the game with 12 rebounds. Dustin Kalien (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chi-Hi) had 12 points and Eric Effertz (So.-Ladysmith, Wis.) added 10.
The Blugolds had a tough time shooting today, finishing 19-for-60 from the field (31.7 percent). Five of their baskets came from beyond the arc, where they went 5-for-32. Stout shot 48.8 percent (21-for-43) from the floor. The Blugolds edged the Blue Devils in rebounding, 38-35.
Eau Claire drops to 10-13 overall and 4-10 in the WIAC. Stout improves to 18-5 on the season and 10-4 in conference play.
Wednesday the Blugolds will play at home for the final time in the regular season. Tip-off against UW-Platteville is scheduled for 7 p.m.
-KM-
