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Issued: November 20, 2007

MEN’S BASKETBALL TO PLAY IN WISCONSIN DELLS CLASSIC THIS WEEKEND

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The UW-Eau Claire men’s basketball team will head to Baraboo (WI) this weekend to participate in the Wisconsin Dells Classic.

The Blugolds are off to a 0-2 start with two losses in the Wartburg Tournament last weekend. The Blugolds fell to Grinnell 137-132 Friday night and Aurora 63-54 Saturday night.

Eau Claire will face Hamline University (MN) Friday night. The Blugolds are 2-9 all-time against the Pipers. Eau Claire has not faced Hamline since the 1962-1963 season in which they lost 88-59, this was the third straight loss by the Blugolds squad in three years.

Leading the Blugolds offensive attack is Dan Beyer (Sr.- Waukesha, WI/Catholic Memorial) who is averaging 21.5 points per game. Beyer is also leading the Blugolds defensively with 11.5 rebounds per game. Zack Ryan (Sr.- Lake Elmo, MN/Tartan) is averaging 7.5 assists per game and 2.5 steals for Eau Claire. Ryan Shea (Fr.- Duluth, MN/East) is perfect for the Blugolds from the free throw line. Shea is 5-for-5 from the line.

Hamline is off to a 0-1 start with a loss coming last weekend to Southwest Minnesota Stat 83-59. Carl Hipp is leading the way for the Pipers; he scored 16 points in the first game of the season with eight rebounds. Hipp also had four blocks and two steals. Mike Kaiser is right behind Hipp, scoring 13 points in the first game for Hamline. Eric Clute and Tony Thrasher each had nine points for the Pipers.

Eau Claire will face Finlandia (MI) Saturday night. The Blugolds are 7-1 all-time against the Lions. Eau Claire has won the last six meetings between the two teams. The Blugolds defeated the Lions at Zorn Arena last season 75-69.

Finlandia is off to a 0-2 start with losses coming to UW-Stout 93-89 in overtime and Mayville State University 85-72. Tyler Gordon and Ryan Artley are leading the way for the Lions. Artley is averaging 35 points per game, while Gordon is averaging 19 points per game. Tucker Thoreson is averaging 7 points per game for the Lions. Thoreson won the King of the Boards Award at the Blugolds Holiday Classic last year. Tucker had 15 rebounds in the tournament.

Eau Claire will tip off with Hamline at 5 p.m. Friday night at the Wisconsin Dells Classic in Baraboo. On Saturday night the Blugolds will face Finlandia at 3 p.m. the game will also take place in Baraboo.

- KD -

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