Phoenix, Ariz. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men's basketball team extended its winning streak to four games with a 81-65 victory over Lake Forest College (Ill.) Friday night in the D3 Desert Invitational at PHHacility. The Eagles improve to 7-3 on the season while the Foresters drop to 6-4.

In the first meeting between the teams since 1960-61, UWL raced out to a 7-1 lead, hitting three of its first four shots from the field. Lake Forest (Ill.) came back with a 9-3 run to tie the game at 10-10.  The game was tied five times in the first half, including 34-34 with 5:30 left. The Foresters scored the final five points of the half to lead, 46-40.

Lake Forest (Ill.) led by as many as 10 points early in the second half, including 52-42, with 18:21 remaining, when UWL went on a 23-0 run to lead, 65-52 with 11:17 left. Tanner Bruchs hit four straight three-pointers in the run for the Eagles. Lake Forest (Ill.) missed five field goal attempts in the run while having five turnovers.

The Foresters cut the lead to 67-56 with 9:57 remaining, but could get no closer the rest of the game. The Eagles led by as many as 19 points in the second half at 76-57 with 5:36 left after a Bruchs' jumper.

UWL shot 44.4% from the field, including 37.5% (12-of-32) from three-point range, and 72.2% (13-of-18) at the free throw line. Bruchs led the Eagles with a career-high 27 points Friday, finishing nine-of-13 from three-point range, including seven-of-nine from three-point range. He was also two-of-two at the line. His seven three-point field goals made are tied for fifth in single-game school history. Corey Block (vs. UW-Superior on December 3, 1988) and Tom Olsen (vs. UW-Whitewater on February 15, 1991) had a school record nine three-point field goals made.

Brendon Manning finished with 12 points and team-high seven rebounds while Ethan Anderson added nine points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Lake Forest (Ill.) shot 49.0% from the field, including 22.2% (four-of-18) from three-point range, and 78.6% (11-of-14) at the line. Sean Espinosa led the Foresters with 19 points while Aram Arslanian added 16 and Danny Sotos with 12. Arslanian led the team with six rebounds.

UWL returns to action Saturday, December 29 in the championship game at 5:15 p.m. (CT) versus the winner of Marietta College (Ohio) and Elmhurst College (Ill.).