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UW-Eau Claire - Geoff Probst 13, Nick Bartlett 6, Colin Boone 10, Fofana Amadou 8, Marcus Ruh 6, Chance Weisensel 12, Branden Tachick 2, Jordan Kappen 2, Brett Anderson 4, Eric Nohelty 2, Michael Mudgett 4, Andy Keist 2, Dan Stovall 2. FG: 30-61; FT: 11-19; Rebounds: 42 (Probst 8); Fouls: 13; Fouled out: None; 3-point FG; Probst 3, Bartlett 2, Boone 2.

Finlandia - Tyler Gordon 12, Anthony Grandberry 10, Erik Bresette 5, Mario Cooper 9, Marcquise Morgan 2, Lee Naugle 9, Darryl Brown 2, Ruel Caldwell 5. FG: 19-59; FT: 10-14; Rebounds: 32 (Copper 7); Fouls: 14; Fouled out: None; 3-point FG: Cooper 3, Gordon 1, Naugle 1, Caldwell 1.

Halftime score - UWEC 40, Finlandia 28.

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HANCOCK - A promising start didn't translate into a positive result for the Finlandia University men's basketball team Saturday afternoon.

A tall and talented Wisconsin-Eau Claire squad wrestled the lead away for keeps late in the first half en route to a 78-54 victory at Paavo Nurmi Gymnasium.

"We did begin the game well, but we couldn't sustain it," FU skipper Charlie Kemppainen said. "They (Blugolds) are a solid and disciplined team ... they just played better basketball then we did."

The defeat dropped the Lions to 8-10 on the campaign. UWE improved to 12-7 on the season.

A rare off-game by Finlandia senior standouts Tyler Gordon and Erik Bresette didn't help. The two combined to connect on just 6-of-23 shots from the field and score only 17 points.

"That's a good example of how Eau Claire plays," Kemppainen pointed out. "They've seen them (Gordon and Bresette) for four years and they were prepared. When that happens, we need other people to step up, but we didn't get that today."

FU jumped off to a quick 8-0 lead, getting a three-point basket from Mario Cooper and a basket from Gordon.

The Lions were still in command at 23-15 with eight minutes left in the half.

That was when the Wisconsin team went on a 25-5 tear to assume a 40-28 margin at the intermission.

"I think we were a little slow out of the gate," UWEC coach Terry Gibbons said. "We were able to put together a nice run ... and get a lead."

Another run by the Blugolds - this one not as big - started the second half. The 15-5 advantage in the opening minutes pumped the lead to 55-31 and more or less settled the issue.

Some good work by Anthony Grandberry and Chassell's Lee Naugle kept the Lions within range for awhile before the invaders finally put it away.

Gordon managed 12 points and five steals to lead the Lions. Grandberry chipped in 10 points, six rebounds and six assists in a steady performance. Cooper, who grabbed a team-best seven boards, and Naugle split up 18 points.

Geoff Probst led the winners with 13 points and eight rebounds. Chance Weisensel tossed in 12 more and Colin Boone had 10 markers.

UWEC held a 42-32 rebounding margin.

FU travels to UW-Superior on Tuesday.