EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team won its third straight game with a 55-45 victory over UW-Stout at Zorn Arena tonight.

Over the first 10 minutes of the first half, the teams combined for just 18 points. The Blugolds led in that time period 14-4. Eau Claire never relinquished the lead the rest of the way and the closest Stout could get was five points.

The Blugolds held a single-digit lead most of the second half, but with less than five minutes to play, the Blugolds went on a 10-3 run that lasted four minutes to get up by 14. Stout closed the game with four points, giving the Blugolds the 10-point win.

Eau Claire shot nearly 50 percent but took only 43 shots the entire night. Stout took 63 shots and finished with a 30.2 percentage. Stout edged the Blugolds on the boards 38-34.

Nick Craggs (Jr.-Kimberly, Wis.) led the game with 19 points while Jordan Petersen (Jr.-Strum, Wis./Eleva-Strum) finished with 10. James Pfitzinger (Sr.-West St. Paul, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) tied for a game-high with eight rebounds.

The Blugolds improve to 9-4 on the season and 2-3 in conference play. Stout drops to 4-9 overall and 0-5 in the conference.

Next up, the Blugolds will be at UW-Stevens Point as part of a doubleheader with the women. Tip-off will follow the women's game, which gets underway at 3 p.m.

-KM-