OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - Despite starting the game strong, the UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team struggled in the second half and fell to UW-Oshkosh 85-57 at Kolf Sports Center tonight.

The Blugolds (4-2, 0-1 WIAC) battled early and while they never led, the game was tied four times in the first half. After the Titans (3-3, 1-0 WIAC) jumped out to a nine-point lead, Eau Claire closed the gap to just one at 9:41 with a 12-4 run. Eau Claire kept the game close for the next three and a half minutes before the Titans began to build a lead the Blugolds could not overcome.

Over the last five minutes of the first half, the Titans held Eau Claire to just four points while scoring 14 of their own to take a 16-point advantage into the locker room.

The Blugolds had a hard time getting the offense going in the second half as they shot just 27.3 percent from the floor after a 52.4 percent performance in the first half. The Titans continued to build their lead in the second and got up by as much as 33 with 3:08 left on the board.

The Blugolds edged the Titans in turnovers, committing 12 to Oshkosh's 16 but the Titans had the rebounding advantage as they pulled down 30 to Eau Claire's 19. The Titans also outshot Eau Claire 57.8 percent (26-for-45) to 39.5 percent (17-for-43).

Amadou Fofana (Jr.-Appleton, Wis./West) led the Blugolds with 15 points, but despite being the Blugolds' second-leading rebounder this season, he came up with no rebounds tonight.

Geoff Probst (Sr.-Moose Lake, Minn.) added 10 points and Marcus Ruh (Fr.-Green Bay , Wis./Bay Port) had eight while leading the team with four rebounds and four assists.

Eau Claire will be at home for the first time this season for a conference game against UW-La Crosse. The game is set to begin following the women's game against UW-La Crosse which is set to tip off at 3 p.m. at Zorn Arena.