Issued: January 8, 2003

MEN BLUGOLDS OUTSHOT BY FALCONS

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team shot 40 percent compared to 58 percent from River Falls en route to losing to the Falcons 79-64 here tonight at Karges Center.

The loss drops the Blugold's record to 10-3 for the season and 3-2 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action while the Falcons improve to 8-5 overall and also hold a 3-2 record in WIAC play.

River Falls beat the Blugolds with great shooting as they shot over 70 percent from the floor in the second half. The Falcons converted on 4-of-7 tray opportunities and 17-of-25 free throw attempts while the Blugolds hit just 8-of-22 three pointers and made it to the charity stripe just 14 times. Eau Claire was also out-rebounded by River Falls 33-24.

The first half started out very promising for the Blugolds as they jumped to a 12-4 lead early. Eau Claire maintained a solid lead for most of the first half leading by a score of 29-22 late in the half. River Falls held the Blugold scoreless the remainder of the half and went on a 7-0 run to end the half and head into the locker room all tied up.

River Falls wasted no time jumping to a lead in the second half as it went up by as many as 13 with around 10 minutes remaining. The Blugolds cut the lead to seven with over four minutes remaining but were unable to pull any closer as they eventually dropped the game 79-64.

Jason Larson (Sr-Sugarland, TX/Stephen F. Austin) provided much of the scoring for Eau Claire as he totaled 31 points on 11-of-21 shooting. Larson nailed five trifectas and was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the contest. Dan Archambault (So-Oshkosh/West) scored 14 points for Eau Claire and was also perfect from the charity stripe in five attempts.

Rich Melzer led the way for the Falcons scoring 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Blugolds will next travel to Whitewater to do battle with the Warhawks on Saturday evening. Tip-off is set for 7:00.

Eau Claire-River Falls Box