UW-Eau Claire 72, UW-Stout 52 (Box Score)

EAU CLAIRE (January 13, 2016) - UW-Stout had three players in double digits, but it wouldn't be enough as UW-Eau Claire held off the Blue Devils, 72-58, Wednesday at Zorn Arena.

The Blue Devils (4-9, 0-3 WIAC) fell behind early to the Blugolds (9-5, 2-1 WIAC), trailing 38-25 at halftime. Eau Claire built up as much as 19 point early in the second half, 48-29, but Stout cut that to a seven point lead, going off on a 14-2 run, led by five consecutive points by Isaac Elliott (So, Stevens Point).

The Blugolds recovered from the run, and built a lead of 13 points, 60-47,  with 7:41 left in the contest, only to see Stout pull to within seven points, 60-53, as the Blue Devils went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer by John Keefe (So, Medford) at 4:11. Eau Claire would outscore Stout11-5 in the final minutes of the game.

Tyson Kalien of the Blugolds scored a game-high 18 points, connecting on five 3-pointers. George Diekelman finished with 16 points and Jacob Kohner added 10. The Blugolds shot 40 percent (22-55) from the floor and hit 13-of-34 3-pointers. Eau Claire was also 15-of-19 from the line.

Keefe led Stout with 17 points. Elliott added 11 and Brett Ahsenmacher (Jr, Annandale, Minn) 10, eight in the second half. Stout shot 38.9 percent (21-54) from the floor The Blue Devils connected on 7-of-17 3-pointers, with Keefe draining three.

Stout will host UW-Platteville, Saturday, Jan. 16 at 3 p.m. and UW-La Crosse, Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m.