SUPERIOR, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team fell just short against UW-Superior as the Yellowjackets won 85-80 at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium tonight.

The Blugolds (9-5, 2-4 WIAC) got off to a slow start this evening, not scored for almost two and half minutes. Superior (9-5, 3-3 WIAC) held a four-point lead at the time, and the Blugolds were able to stay within five points before taking their first lead near the midway mark in the first.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Superior tied it right back up. The Yellowjackets went back up for good with just over four minutes left in the first and once again built a five-point lead at the half.

Superior came out strong in the second half but the Blugolds never let the Yellowjackets get up by more than 10. The Blugolds got as close as two points early in the second half and three with less than 35 seconds to go, but Superior held strong to capture the five-point victory.

Four Blugolds reached double figures in scoring with Amadou Fofana (Jr.-Appleton, Wis./West) leading the way with 18. Nick Bartlett (So.-Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) added 17 and Colin Boone (Sr.-Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) and Geoff Probst (Sr.-Moose Lake, Minn.)

each contributed 14. Probst led the way for Eau Claire with six of the team's 26 rebounds.

Superior led in shooting, finishing 30-for-58 from the floor (51.7 percent) as the Blugolds went 30-for-63 (47.6 percent). Superior also led the game with 35 rebounds to the Blugolds' 26. The Blugolds helped themselves with 11 three-pointers on the night, but Superior was close with seven.

The Blugolds will be back at Zorn Arena this weekend for a matchup against UW-Whitewater. Action is set to get underway at 5 p.m. The women will face Whitewater first in game one of the doubleheader at 3 p.m.