HANCOCK, Mich. - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team erased an 11-point halftime deficit only to fall by a single point, losing a 94-93 decision to Finlandia (MI) here tonight in Michigan.

The Blugolds fall to 2-2 on the season while the Lions improve to 2-1 on the season.

Both teams shot well from the floor in the first half, but the Lions hit 15-of-31 (48.4 percent) to the Blugolds 11-of-25 (44 percent) to take the first half margin. Eau Claire stormed back in the second half, connecting on 22-of-39 (56.4 percent) to make the game as close as it was. The Blugolds also hit 12-of-13 from the free-throw line in the second half.

Dan Archambault (Sr.-Oshkosh/West) led the Blugolds with 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting. He was 4-of-5 from downtown while connecting on all of his four free-throw attempts. Will Jefferson (Sr.-Wausau/East) contributed a career-high 26 points while also tying for a game-best with six rebounds. Casey Drake (Sr.-Rhinelander) added 15 points and three assists in the loss.

Ryan Artley led the Lions with 24 points while Tyler Lloyd added 23 points and six rebounds in the win.

The Blugolds gained more rebounds and steals in the contest while committing fewer turnovers than Finlandia but were still unable to pull out the victory.

Eau Claire will be back in action this Tuesday when they open Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at UW-Superior. The game is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Eau Claire-Finlandia Box Score

- DN -