MILWAUKEE - Getting four or more points from 10 different players, the UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team defeated Wisconsin Lutheran College, 84-73, in the first game of the Wisconsin Lutheran Warrior Classic here Friday.

The win reversed a stunning 84-69 loss to the Warriors incurred exactly two years ago to the date on the same floor. The Blugolds will have only about 15 hours to savor the victory as they take on Concordia University of Mequon at 1 p.m. Saturday. Concordia beat Rockford College, 84-74, in the other first-round game of the Warrior Classic Friday.

Veteran Blugold coach Terry Gibbons did not hesitate going to his bench with five players coming off the pine to play 12 or more minutes and contribute an 37 aggregate points.

Wisconsin Lutheran held the upper hand early the but Blugolds used an eight-point run to overcome their last deficit of the game at 14-13 and take a 21-14 lead with 11:36 remaining.

The Blugolds led 39-24 at halftime as Wisconsin Lutheran managed just 26.5 percent shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes including 1 of 14 from beyond the arc.

Midway through the second half, the Blugolds enjoyed their biggest lead at 63-39. The Warriors mounted a comeback and were within five at 76-71 with 56 seconds remaining. But the Blugolds nailed eight straight free throws in the final minute to earn their second victory of the season in three starts. Wisconsin Lutheran slipped to 0-3 for the season.

Sophomore Jared Bardon (DeForest) led the Blugolds with 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Luke Meier (So.-Cross Plains/Middleton) contributed 11 points and sophomore Zack Ryan (Lake Elmo, MN/Tartan) chipped in with 10 points.

Wisconsin Lutheran managed just 3 of 22 from three-point range for the game and 14 of 27 from the foul line while the Blugolds were 7 of 20 on treys and 19 of 26 from the charity stripe.

The Blugolds are now 2-1 all-time against Wisconsin Lutheran after notching a 97-72 win on their home floor last season.

Eau Claire-Wisconsin Lutheran Box Score

- TP -