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Issued: January 11, 2007

MEN’S BASKETBALL LOOKS TO REBOUND AGAINST PLATTEVILLE

EAU CLAIRE – The UW-Eau Claire men’s basketball team will look to climb back above .500 Saturday when it hosts UW-Platteville in the first game of a men’s and women’s doubleheader at Zorn Arena.

The Blugolds have an overall record of 7-7 this season and a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) record of 1-5. The Blugolds are currently on a four-game losing streak after they had won five straight.

Eau Claire is shooting 44% from the field this season, while their opponents are shooting a little better at 46%. The Blugolds have struggled from the free throw line, shooting only 62%. Eau Claire is averaging four more rebounds per game than their opponents, but has committed 28 more turnovers.

Jared Bardon (Jr.-DeForest, WI) leads the team in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game. Bardon has led the team in scoring in five games this season. Bardon is shooting 50% from the field and 49% from behind the three-point line. Dan Beyer (Jr.-Waukesha, WI/Catholic Memorial) is second on the team is scoring as he is averaging 12.2 points per game. He also leads the team in rebounding, averaging six rebounds per contest. Zack Ryan (Jr.-Lake Elmo, MN/Tartan) leads the team with 41 assists. Luke Meier (Jr.-Cross Plains, WI/Middleton) is shooting 58% from beyond the arc, which leads the WIAC.

The Pioneers will come in to Saturday’s game with an 8-5 overall record and a 3-3 WIAC record. The Pioneers are coming off of a 66-63 win over UW-Whitewater on Wednesday night. Prior to that win, the Pioneers had lost three straight.

The Pioneers are shooting 47% from the field this season. However, opponents are shooting 50%. Platteville has 35 more offensive rebounds than their opponents this year. The Pioneers have a three-point percentage of 43% as they have made 102 three-point field goals.

Charlie Lohoff leads the Pioneers in scoring, averaging 14.6 points per game. Jeff Skemp is averaging 12.5 points per game and leads the Pioneers in rebounding, averaging seven boards per game. Mark Gossens is the third Pioneer averaging in double figures in scoring, averaging 10.4 points per game.

The Blugolds snapped a three-game losing streak to Platteville last year with a 56-51 win at Zorn Arena. The Blugolds own the advantage in the all-time series with a 60-41 record.

The tip-off for Saturday’s contest against UW-Platteville is scheduled for 3 p.m.

- JR -

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