Issued: January 25, 2003

BLUGOLD MEN SUFFER OVERTIME LOSS TO STOUT

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team led by as many as 18 points in the second half but could not withstand a Blue Devil charge en route to falling to UW-Stout 85-81 in overtime here this evening at W.L. Zorn Arena.

The loss marks the Blugolds third overtime loss in their last five games. Eau Claire is 0-3 in overtime games this season while the Blue Devils have won all four overtime games they have played. The Blugolds drop to 11-7 on the season and 3-6 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play while the Blue Devils improve to 12-5 on the year and 7-2 in WIAC action.

The first half started out in a back and forth duel between the conference rivals. With the Blugolds trailing by two half way through the period, Eau Claire went on a 16-3 run, turning a 16-18 deficit into a 32-21 lead with 3:46 remaining in the half. The Blugolds headed into the locker room with a 37-27 halftime advantage.

Things looked promising for the Blugolds in the second half as they jumped out to an 18 point lead with less than 15 minutes remaining in the contest. The Blue Devils slowly pulled within 12 when behind the strength of three players posting 10 or more points in the second half alone, Stout used a 12-1 run to close within one point of Eau Claire at 63-62. Jason Larson (Sr-Sugarland, TX/Stephen F. Austin), after scoring 12 of his 16 points in the second half for the Blugolds, fouled out with 2:39 remaining leaving the Blugold without their scoring leader for the remainder of the game.

Stout fought hard in the final minutes and with just 36 seconds remaining held a 72-70 advantage over the Blugolds. On the ensuing Blugold possession, Nate Beck (So-Rothschild/D.C. Everest) found his way inside and put in a close range shot to knot the score at 72. Stout quickly marched down the court where Nate Templer scored an easy deuce to again give the Blue Devils a two point advantage.

After an Eau Claire timeout, Casey Drake (So-Rhinelander) took the inbound pass the length of the court but his lay-up attempt bounced off the left side of the rim. Andy Witte (Sr-Madison/Monona Grove) was there to tip the ball in as time expired to send the game into overtime.

In the extra period the Blugolds got on the board first but Stout went on a 5-0 run to take a three point edge. After a Witte free-throw and a lay-up by Beck the score was again knotted up, this time at 79. On the following Stout possession, the Blue Devils hit a lay up in the paint to regain the lead. Eau Claire could not convert on the following possession and Julian Greer hit four free-throws down the stretch to ice the game for the Blue Devils.

Dan Archambault (So-Oshkosh/West) led the Blugolds in scoring as he totaled 21 points. Larson and Witte added 16 apiece for Eau Claire while Larson also posted team-highs in rebounds, assists, and steals with 10, six, and four respectively. Nate Beck rounded out the double digit scorers for Eau Claire with 14 points.

Julian Greer led four players in double digit scoring for the Blue Devils with 20 points. Nate Templer added 18 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.

Eau Claire will hit the road for a Wednesday night match up against the UW-Superior Yellowjackets. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.

Eau Claire-Stout Box