EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team cruised to a 98-70 victory tonight over non-conference opponent Finlandia University in Zorn Arena.

With the win the Blugolds improve to 5-3 overall and Finlandia drops to 4-5 overall.

Right from the start, the Blugolds jumped out in front as Dan Beyer (So.-Waukesha, WI/Catholic Memorial) hit a three for the game's first points. With UWEC up 15-12 with 12:24 remaining in the first half, the Blugolds would go on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes to go up by 13. The Blugolds would maintain that lead and go into halftime with a 40-28 lead.

The Blugolds shot 45.7% from the field in the first half, while the Lions shot 43.3%. The Blugolds forced seven Lion turnovers in the half that led to nine points.

The Blugolds Jared Bardon (So.-DeForest, WI) hit back-to-back three pointers to extend an 11-point Blugold lead to 17 with 17:55 remaining in the game. The Blugolds would then outscore the Lions 19-5 over the five minutes to up 69-38. That lead would climb to 32 with 1:34 remaining as the Blugolds went on to win 98-70.

Leading the way for the Blugolds in scoring, both with career highs, were Dan Beyer and Luke Meier (So.-Cross Plains, WI/Middleton), who each had 15 points. Beyer also led the team in rebounds with six. Jared Bardon and B.J. Vetterkind (Fr.-Mondovi, WI) each added 10 points for the Blugolds.

All 15 Blugold members saw action and 13 of the 15 scored. The Blugolds shot 49.3% for the game and forced 16 turnovers, while just committing eight. The Blugolds scored 50 of their 98 points inside and out-rebounded the Lions 42-31

The Blugolds will have a short turnaround as they will host St. Scholastica tomorrow night in the first game of a men's and women's doubleheader. The women will face Carleton College in the second game. The men's game is set to get underway at 6 p.m. in Zorn Arena.

Eau Claire-Finlandia Box Score

- JR -