EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team was unable to overcome a huge free throw disadvantage in losing to UW-Superior 89-85 in triple overtime here tonight at Zorn Arena.

The Blugolds hit 18 of 28 from the free throw line but sent the Yellowjackets to the line 49 times with Superior making 38. The 38 makes ties for tenth in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history. Eau Claire was called for 35 fouls while Superior was called for only 23.

Eau Claire had a chance to win the game in regulation. After two Superior free throws, Casey Drake (Sr.-Rhinelander) had a shot at the buzzer but it fell short sending the game to its first overtime tied at 69.

The lead exchanged hands in the first overtime with the Yellowjackets going up two with 1:53 left. Jesse Breidenbach (Sr.-Oregon) hit two free throws with 1:18 left to tie the game and end the first overtime scoring at 75.

Buck Smith (Jr.-Superior) gave the Blugolds the lead in a low-scoring second overtime 77-75. A Superior lay-up with 2:59 left tied the game and ended the second overtime scoring.

The Yellowjackets started the third overtime on a 9-1 run hitting seven of nine free throw attempts. The Blugolds trimmed the lead to one highlighted by a Jared Bardon (Fr.-DeForest) three-pointer and a Drake lay-up. Eau Claire would get no closer than 86-85 as Superior hit three of four free throws down the stretch.

After Superior broke a 26-26 halftime tie with two free throws the Blugolds went on a 12-4 run to go up 38-32. Eau Claire stretched the lead to ten at 50-40 with 12:23 left in regulation.

The Yellowjackets trimmed the Blugold lead to one with a 15-6 run to close to within 56-55. Both teams exchanged baskets the remainder of regulation including five ties.

Drake led the Blugolds with 25 points and went over the 1,000 point mark for his career late in the first half. Drake became the second Blugold to reach the mark this year as Dan Archambault (Sr.-Oshkosh/West) went over 1,000 points in a win over Manchester College.

Will Jefferson (Sr.-Wausau/East) added 15 points with Smith contributing 13 and Breidenbach a career-high 10. Smith led Eau Claire in rebounding with six while Kale Proksch (Jr.-Chaseburg/Westby) had a game-high six assists.

Leonard Cobb had a game-high 40 points for Superior on 14 of 20 shooting from the field and 12 of 16 shooting from the free throw line.

Eau Claire falls to 4-6 in the WIAC and 10-8 overall with the loss. Superior improves to 1-9 in conference action and 10-9 overall.

The Blugolds will be in action next when they host UW-La Crosse Saturday at Zorn Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Eau Claire-Superior Box Score

- JL -