Box Score
Eau Claire 69, Yellowjackets 55
Box Score
Winning on the road in the sport of college basketball is always a challenge. And after dropping a tough game to UW-Platteville on Bo Ryan Court on Saturday, the UW-Superior men's basketball team hoped to rebound with a strong performance when they traveled to Zorn Arena for a date with UW-Eau Claire Wednesday night.
But while the Yellowjackets may have had every intention of returning to Superior with a victory, a lack of shooting accuracy ultimately doomed UW-Superior as the Blugolds opened up a seven point lead at the half, upped their advantage to as many as 18 in the second half and went on to claim a 69-55 victory.
For the game, the Yellowjackets netted just 39.3 percent of their shots (22-of-56), including going just 4-for-17 from three point range (23.5 percent). Ten missed free throws further compounded the evening's struggles as UW-Superior fell to 11-8 overall and 5-5 in WIAC conference action.
Even with their difficulties from the field, the Yellowjackets managed to take a 12-11 lead after a free throw by Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) with 11:47 remaining in the opening half.
UW-Superior's edge proved to be short-lived as the Blugolds promptly went on a 12-4 burst over the next 6:41 to take a 23-16 lead after free throw by Alex Anderson with 5:01 showing on the clock.
A layup by Byrne at the 4:05 mark brought the Yellowjackets to within 23-18.
UW-Eau Claire (13-6 overall, 5-5 WIAC) maintained the advantage however, getting a jumper from Dustin Kalien as time expired in the opening half to take a 34-27 edge into the intermission.
The Yellowjackets got off to a promising start early in the second half, getting baskets from Byrne, Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) and Ben Aalfs (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) in the first 4:02 to climb within 39-34 with 15:58 remaining in regulation.
But UW-Eau Claire answered right back, going on an 11-4 run to take a 50-38 lead after a layup by Nick Craggs with 11:45 left in the second half.
The Blugolds continued to pull away over the next several minutes, taking their largest lead of the evening at 63-45 on another layup by Craggs with 6:41 remaining to be played.
UW-Superior never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way as the Blugolds got a balanced scoring effort that saw five players score at seven points.
The Yellowjackets were paced by Byrne with 14 points while Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton) added 12 points and Aalfs 10.
UW-Eau Claire was led by Jordan Petersen with 14 points. Craggs added 13 for the Blugolds.
The Yellowjackets return home to host UW-Stevens Point on Saturday. Opening tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. The game can be heard locally on 91.3 FM KUWS with Matt Johnson and Monte Stewart on the call.
