EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team allowed Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival UW-Stout to shoot 58 percent from the field in losing 92-85 to the Blue Devils here tonight at Zorn Arena.

The 85 Blugold points tie for the third highest output of the season but wasn't enough to overcome Stout's hot shooting. The Blue Devils hit 29 of 50 from the field and 30 of 45 from the free throw line.

Eau Claire went on a 12-2 run midway through the second half to close within 59-55 with 9:29 left in regulation. Eau Claire and Stout exchanged baskets before the Blue Devils went on a 9-0 run to go up 82-70 with 2:13 remaining.

The Blugolds would cut the lead to five following a Colin Walsh (So.-La Crosse/Aquinas) three-pointer with six seconds left. Stout's Adam Chandler hit three free throws in the final seconds to seal the win for the Blue Devils.

Casey Drake (Sr.-Rhinelander) led all scorers with 25 points including 8 of 8 from the charity stripe. Dan Archambault (Sr.-Oshkosh/West) added 19 points and Will Jefferson (Sr.-Wausau/East) 11. Stout's Chandler led the Blue Devils with 24 points.

Eau Claire was outrebounded 39-29 but outscored Stout 40-34 in the paint. The Blue Devils took full advantage of Eau Claire's 10 turnovers turning them into 21 points. The Blugolds converted Stout's 14 turnovers into 16 points.

The first half went back and forth with nine ties in the opening 20 minutes. Stout went on a 7-0 run following the ninth tie to go up 33-26. The Blugolds went into half trailing 36-33.

The loss drops Eau Claire to 5-9 in WIAC action and 12-11 overall. Stout improves to 8-6 in the conference and 13-8 overall.

The Blugold will be in action next when they travel to Oshkosh to take on the Titans Wednesday. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Eau Claire-Stout Box Score

- JL -