EAU CLAIRE, WIS. – The University of Northwestern men's basketball team traveled east across the state border to battle the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (7-3 overall) in the Eau-Claire Holiday Classic Tournament Friday evening. The home Blugolds tallied the win, as the beat the Eagles by a final score of 74-58. With the loss, UNW drops to 2-8 on the season.

UWEC powered through the first 20:00 frame, as they took a strong 51-24 lead into the locker room. The second half was just as strong as the first, as the host Bluegolds added 23 more points to the scoreboard to secure the win, 74-58, over the visiting Eagles.

Caleb Hageman (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) led all scorers with 17 points and six rebounds. The junior guard went 6-for-10 from the hardwood, and shot perfectly from both the charity stripe [2-for-2] and long range [3-for-3]. Sophomore Taylor Slagter (Roseland, Minn./CMCS) and Freshman Johnny Erickson (Minneapolis, Minn./Hope Academy) each poured in seven points apiece, while Junior Jacob Gervais (Cottage Grove, Minn./Homeschool) ended with eight.

Northwestern shot 43.6 percent from the field, while Wisconsin-Eau Claire topped off the night by hitting 48.4 percent of their shots.

On the contest, UNW also totaled 11 assists, tallied two blocks, snatched five steals, racked up 22 bench points, and out-rebounded UWEC, 35-31 [7 OFF, 28 DEF].  

The purple and gold will face St. Olaf College tomorrow in the final day of the holiday tournament. Tip-off between the two foes is slated for 3 p.m. For more information, fans should visit www.unweagles.com.