Men’s basketball team opens season with 94-59 loss to Wis.-La Crosse

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The Olivet College men's basketball team opened its 2013-14 season with a 94-59 loss to University of Wis.-La Crosse tonight at the University of Wis.-Platteville Gabe Miller Classic in Platteville, Wis.

The Eagles flew out of the gates with a 9-2 scoring run. The Comets closed to within one point three times, with the last time being 19-18 at the 10:54 mark. From there, UW-La Crosse scored 13 straight points to take a 32-18 lead. The Eagles kept their lead in double figures for the rest of the half, leading by as many as 16 points, 46-30. at intermission.

UW-La Crosse's lead swelled to 23 points, 67-44, with 11:10 left in the game. Olivet would get no closer than 18 points for the rest of the game.

Olivet shot 35.0 percent (21-of-60) from the floor to 54.4 percent (31-of-57) for the Eagles. The Comets made four three-pointers and 13 free throws, while UW-La Crosse canned 13 baskets from behind the arc and 19 free throws. Junior Blake Krum (Schoolcraft) led all scorers with 22 points and tied for game-high honors with six rebounds. Freshman Riley Boyers (Clark Lake/Columbia Central) finished with eight points in his collegiate debut.

The Comets will play the host Pioneers tomorrow night at 8 p.m. ET.