Stratton Scores Career-High as UW-L Snaps Five-Game Losing Streak

For Immediate Release: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009

Superior, Wis. – The UW-La Crosse men’s basketball team snapped its five-game losing streak with a 78-68 victory at UW-Superior Saturday afternoon in Mertz Mortorelli Gym. The Eagles improve to 9-11 overall and 3-8 in the WIAC while the Yellowjackets fall to 9-11 overall and 2-9 in the league.

UW-L's Trevor Stratton scored a career-high 35 points, including 21 in the first half. He finished the game 14-of-19 from the field, including four-of-six from three-point range. Stratton was three-of-three at the free throw line and finished with four rebounds. Tony Mane scored 14 points off the bench for the Eagles, going five-of-nine from the field, including two-of-five from three-point range. He hit both of his free throw attempts and finished with a team-high five assists. Andy Merklein finished with 12 points and seven rebounds while Al Chery had eight points and team-high eight rebounds.

UW-L led 21-16 with 12:26 left in the first half as Stratton scored 16 of the Eagles' first 21 points. UW-Superior later forced a 28-28 tie with 4:57 remaining and went on a 9-5 run to lead 37-33 at intermission.

The Eagles opened the second half on a 9-0 run and never trailed the remainder of the game. UW-L took a 39-37 lead after three Stratton free throws with 17:51 left and later led 51-49 with 10:40 remaining. The Eagles then went on a 10-2 run to lead 61-51 left and the Yellowjackets could get no closer than four points the rest of the game at 72-68 with 1:35 remaining.

UW-L shot 62.7% from the field, including 66.7% (18-of-27) in the second half. The Eagles were nine-of-18 (50.0%) from three-point range in the game and five-of-12 (41.7%) at the line.

Jake Smith led UW-Superior with 23 points and nine rebounds while Dwight Hill finished with 16 points. The Yellowjackets shot 40.6% from the field, including 31.3% (five-of-16) from three-point range. The team was 11-of-15 (73.3%) at the free throw line.

UW-L returns to action Wednesday, Feb. 4 at fourth-ranked UW-Platteville at 7 p.m.