EAU CLAIRE - Terry Gibbons earned his 200th career collegiate win and Dan Archambault (Sr. -Oshkosh/West) went over 1,000 points in his career as the UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated Manchester College of Indiana 77-63 here tonight at Zorn Arena.

Archambault, needing 10 points coming in to reach 1,000, didn't waste time in reaching it. Archambault scored 13 of the first 15 Blugold points in helping give Eau Claire an early 15-12 lead. Archambault made 5 of 5 shots during the run including three from behind the three-point line.

The Blugolds pushed the lead to a first half-high 13 on a jumper from Casey Drake (Sr.-Rhinelander) with 2:22 remaining in the half. Two Manchester free throws sent Eau Claire into half with an 11-point lead.

Eau Claire shot 55.2 percent in the first half led by Archambault's 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting. The Blugolds held the Spartans to 43.5 percent shooting in the half.

Manchester cut the lead to seven early in the second half but the Blugolds went on a 10-2 run to push the lead up to 15 with 11:47 remaining. Eau Claire would increase the lead to 19 when Tyler Birkel (Jr.-Spring Valley) penetrated and threw down a two-handed tomahawk jam. A Drake free throw seconds later increased the Blugold lead to a game-high 20.

The Spartans cut the lead down to 11 but would get no closer sealing the 200th career win for Gibbons.

Archambault finished with a team-high 23 points while Will Jefferson (Sr.-Wausau/East) added 15 and Drake 12. Buck Smith (Jr.-Superior) led the Blugolds with seven rebounds while Drake led with five assists.

The Blugolds improved to 2-1 on the year with the win while Manchester fell to 2-1 on the season.

Eau Claire will be in action next when they play Finlandia Friday. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Eau Claire-Manchester Box Score

- JL -