UW-La Crosse 76, Elmhurst College (Ill.) 66

La Crosse, Wis. - Tony Mane and Trevor Stratton combined for 43 points as the UW-La Crosse men's basketball team earned a 76-66 non-conference victory over Elmhurst College (Ill.) Wednesday night in Mitchell Hall. Mane finished with 25 points while Stratton had 18. The Eagles improve to 9-2 on the season while the Bluejays fall to 4-6.

Mane was eight-of-15 from the field, including three-of-five from three-point range, while hitting all six free throw attempts. He also had four assists. Stratton was seven-of-10 from the field, including four-of-seven from three-point range. He missed both of his free throw attempts.

UW-L raced out to a 16-4 lead with 14:10 left in the first half as the Eagles were six-of-eight from the field to start the game. Elmhurst came back to cut the lead to 19-15 with 11:07 remaining. The Bluejays later cut the lead to 27-24 with 6:02 left, but the Eagles finished the half on a 10-2 run to lead 37-26.

The Eagles led 45-30 with 17:22 left before Elmhurst cut the deficit to 51-45 with 13:14 remaining. The Bluejays trailed 53-47 with 11:55 left, but could get no closer the rest of the game.

Along with Mane's 25 and Stratton's 18 points, UW-L's Kurt Kincaid added 12 points.

UW-L shot 47.3% from the field, including 43.5% (10-of-23) from three-point range. The team shot 77.8% (14-of-18) at the line.

Zack Boyd led Elmhurst with 19 points and 15 rebounds. He finished seven-of-19 from the field, including two-of-three from three-point range, and three-of-three at the free throw line. Dustin Bainter finished with 17 points for the Bluejays while Aaron Schroeder had 10.

Elmhurst shot 37.1% from the field, including 20.0% (three-of-15) from three-point range. The Bluejays shot 11-of-13 (84.6%) at the line.

UW-L returns to action Tuesday, Dec. 29 at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) Cru Holiday Classic. The Eagles face Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. and the host Crusaders Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 3 p.m