EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team was defeated tonight by I-94 rival UW-Stout by a score of 72-35 in the team's conference opener.

The loss ends a three-game wining streak by the Blugolds. The Blugolds now have an overall record of 3-2 and a conference record of 0-1. With the victory the Blue Devils improve to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference.

The Blue Devils jumped out to a 7-2 lead to start the game and never looked back. The Blugolds could only get as close as two after that as the Blue Devils had scoring runs of 8-0, 6-0, and 7-0 in the half to extend their lead for a halftime score of 39-16.

The Blugolds were held to just 23% shooting in the first half, while the Blue Devils shot 55.6%.

The second half was no different as the Blue Devils extended their lead with an 11-0 run to start the half. The Blugolds first field goal of the half came four minutes in. Stout's lead grew to as much as 38 points with 13:45 remaining in the game. That margin would stay in the 30's for the rest of the game; as the Blue Devils went on to win 72-35.

The Blugolds ended up shooting just 24% for the game, while the Blue Devils ended up shooting 58.5%. The Blue Devils size showed as Stout out-rebounded the Blugolds 45 to 19 in the game. Stout also capitalized off Blugold turnovers, scoring 17 points off turnovers compared to just six points for the Blugolds.

Leading the Blugolds in scoring were Jared Bardon (So.-DeForest, WI) and Luke Meier (So.-Cross Plains, WI/Middleton), who each had nine points. Meier was 2-for-3 on three-pointers. Dan Beyer (So.-Waukesha, WI/Catholic Memorial) led the Blugolds in rebounding with five boards.

Up next the Blugolds will host UW-La Crosse in the second game of a men's, women's double-header to be held Saturday night in Zorn Arena. The men's game will begin at approximately 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-Stout Box Score

- JR -