EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team lost to Gustavus Adolphus College 86-80 in overtime on Sunday at the Sonnentag Event Center. The Blugolds led by 13 in the second half, but couldn't hold on in their final game at the Market & Johnson Blugold Tip-Off Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blugolds (1-1) steadily built a lead across the first half and early stages of the second half. The Golden Gusties — who received votes in the D3hoops.com Preseason Top 25 — caught fire in the second half though to close the gap and force overtime.
- Gustavus outscored UW-Eau Claire 14-8 in overtime to clinch its victory.
- The Blugolds got out to a strong start to the day, opening the contest with a 9-3 run. The Golden Gusties clawed back, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Drew Maloney (Sr. - St. Charles, Minn.) highlighted a 10-3 run for the Blugolds late in the half to open up an 11-point Blugold advantage. UW-Eau Claire carried a 35-28 lead into the break.
- An 8-2 run to start the second half put UW-Eau Claire ahead 43-30 — its largest lead of the game. But Gustavus shot 59% from the field in the second half to get back into the game, with a 7-0 run providing the boost with 14 minutes left. They took their first lead with 6:02 remaining.
- Cade Hall (Sr. - Mauston, Wis.) hit a go-ahead 3-pointer to put UW-Eau Claire up 72-71 with 1:22 left, but a Gustavus free throw with 1:05 to go tied the game and eventually forced overtime.
- In overtime, Gustavus closed on a 7-1 run to take the victory.
- Andre Renta (Jr. - Hudson, Wis.) had a career-high 19 points in his second game with the Blugolds. Michael Casper (Sr. - Merrill, Wis.) scored 18 points, and Maloney finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. Carter Huschka (Sr. - Farmington, Minn.) had 11 points.
- UW-Eau Claire shot 40% from the field. They hit 50% of their shots in the first half, but that mark dropped to 34% in the second half and 17% in overtime.
UP NEXT
UW-Eau Claire hits the road for the first time this season when it travels to the Marietta Shrine Tournament from November 15-16. The Blugolds play the hosts, Marietta, in their tournament opener on November 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
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