EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - After suffering its first conference loss at the hands of UW-Platteville on Wednesday evening, the UW-Eau Clare men's basketball team bounced back with a 71-66 win over UW-La Crosse this afternoon at Zorn Arena.

The win improves the Blugolds record to 5-3 on the season and 2-1 in the WIAC, while La Crosse drops to 4-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Eau Claire shot well from the field, shooting 50 percent in the first half and 52.4 percent in the second half, while holding the Eagles to a mere 30 percent in the first half and 41.2 percent in the second.

The Blugolds burst out of the gate in front of a large home crowd, picking up the first four points of the game with layups from Colin Boone (Jr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) and Dan Beyer (Sr.-Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial). Thanks to the quick start, Eau Claire was able to keep its lead the entire half, and increase that lead to as many as 11 points after two free throws from Beyer. Eau Claire finished the first half with a jumper from Jordan Kappen (Jr.-Blair, Wis./Blair-Taylor) with 35 second remaining to take an eight point lead into the locker room.

Eau Claire carried the momentum into the second half, continuing its consistent scoring output. It wasn't until 5:45 left in the game that La Crosse would threaten, tying the game at 59 and eventually taking a two point lead on a three pointer from Tony Mane. The lead would be short-lived as the Blugolds regained the lead and held on in the final minutes for the five point victory.

Boone led Eau Claire with 17 points to go along with four assists. Kappen and Beyer were the other two Blugolds in double-digits, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively. Beyer and Geoff Probst (Jr.-Moose Lake, Minn.) each pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

Tony Mane led the Eagles with 25 points on 10 of 23 shooting from the field.

The Blugolds now have a 16 day lay-off before taking the floor at Zorn Arena for the Holiday Classic on December 29 and 30. On the 29, the Blugolds will take on St. Paul at 8 p.m.

Eau Claire-La Crosse Box Score

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