STEVENS POINT, Wis. - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team gave third-ranked UW-Stevens Point a run for its money tonight, coming up just short in a 61-58 loss at Bennett Court.

The Blugolds shot 12-29 in the first half while the Pointers converting one more field goal, shooting 13-29. Field goal percentages were lopsided in the second half, with Eau Claire shooting 44 percent and Stevens Point shot a mere 25.9 percent.

It looked as if the Pointers were going to cruise to victory, going up by as many as 15 points early in the first half. But the Blugolds slowly chipped away at the lead ending the first half on an 18-8 run to cut the lead to 33-29.

Although the Blugolds led just twice in the contest they remained in contention until the final buzzer. Eau Claire opened the second half with Dan Beyer (Sr.-Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial) jumper to cut the lead to two. The Pointers would extend their lead by as many as six points, but at the 12:47 mark, Geoff Probst (Jr.-Moose Lake, Minn.) knotted the game at 37 with a bucket in the paint. Unable to get over the hump, Eau Claire tied the game once more with 3:56 left in the game, but the Pointers refused to relinquish its lead, and took home the slim three point victory.

The first-place Pointers remain undefeated in conference play with a 13-0 record and move to 20-2 overall. With the hard luck loss, the Blugolds fall to 7-7 in WIAC play and 13-9 on the season.

Beyer led the way for the Blugolds with a huge night of 24 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. In 32 minutes, Beyer shot 10-17 from the field and converted on all four attempts from the free throw line. Probst and Mark Tiefel (Sr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Immanuel) chipped in with seven points apiece, while Probst also pulled down eight boards.

The Blugolds now travel to Hancock, Mich. on Saturday to take on Finlandia for the second time this season. Eau Claire beat the Lions 74-66 at Zorn Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at noon.

Eau Claire-Stevens Point

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