UW-L Falls at Eighth-Ranked Elmhurst

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Elmnhurst, Ill. – The UW-La Crosse men's basketball team fell 67-54 at eighth-ranked Elmhurst College Wednesday night in R.A. Faganel Hall. The Eagles drop to 3-2 on the season while the Bluejays improve to 6-0.

Elmhurst is ranked eighth in NCAA Division III, according to D3hoops.com while UW-L has received votes in the poll.

The Eagles raced out to a 7-2 lead with 18:12 remaining in the first half before the Bluejays went on a 10-0 run and never trailed again. Elmhurst led by as many as 14 points in the first half before leading 30-18 at intermission.

UW-L trailed 42-28 with 11:15 left before cutting the lead to 42-34 with 9:37 remaining, but could get no closer the rest of the game.

Brandon Brown led UW-L with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. He was six-of-11 from the field and four-of-five at the line. Tony Mane had 11 points for the Eagles, finishing five-of-18 from the field, including one-of-eight from three-point range. He also tied for the team lead with three assists. Austin Scott scored 10 points off the bench, going four-of-five from the field, including two-of-three from three-point range.

The Eagles shot 38.5% from the field, including 30.8% (six-of-20) in the first half. UW-L finished four-of-15 (26.7%) from three-point range in the contest and 10-of-14 (71.4%) at the line.

Brent Ruch led Elmhurst with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. He was six-of-16 from the field, including three-of-five from three-point range, and five-of-seven at the free throw line. Robert Strzemp added 14 points for the Bluejays, going seven-of-10 from the field. He also had six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ryan Burks totaled 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He was five-of-nine from the field, including two-of-five from three-point range.

Elmhurst shot 46.9% from the field, including 41.7% (five-of-12) from three-point range. The team was 16-of-22 (72.7%) at the line.

UW-L returns to action Saturday, December 6 hosting third-ranked Augustana College (Ill.) at 7 p.m. in Mitchell Hall.