STORM LAKE, Iowa - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team was outshot 38-18 from the free throw line in losing to Buena Vista University 70-60 here tonight at Siebens Fieldhouse.

The game opened up with four ties in the first eight minutes before the Beavers went on a 6-0 run to open up a five point lead at 15-10.

Buena Vista pushed the lead to a half-high seven before the Blugolds cut it down to one after a Dan Archambault (Sr.-Oshkosh/West) three-pointer. The Beavers would hit a three of their own to go up 25-21 going into halftime.

Both teams struggled from the field in the first half as Eau Claire shot 23.3 percent from the field and the Beavers shot 32.3 percent.

The offenses opened up in the second half with Buena Vista opening up an eight point lead with 17:09 remaining. The Blugolds answered with a 9-2 run highlighted by five points from Dan Beyer (Fr.-Waukesha/Catholic Memorial) and four from Buck Smith (Jr.-Superior).

Eau Claire tied the game at 38 with 11:34 remaining when the Beavers went on a 16-6 to open up a ten point lead with 6:21 left. The Blugolds would cut it to seven but Buena Vista hit 13 of 14 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Casey Drake (Sr.-Rhinelander) led Eau Claire with 12 points but struggled from the field going 4 of 17. Beyer scored 11 while Smith added 10 points on 5 of 6 shooting. Beyer led in rebounding with eight.

The Blugolds shot 46.7 percent in the second half but only 35 percent for the game. Eau Claire held the Beavers to only nine field goals in the second half but sent Buena Vista to the line 31 times in the half.

The loss drops the Blugolds to 1-1 on the year while the Beavers improve to 2-0.

Eau Claire will open up their home schedule when they host Manchester College of Indiana Wednesday at Zorn Arena. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-Buena Vista Box Score

- JL -