UW-L Wins Second Straight with Victory at Carleton

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Northfield, Minn. – The UW-La Crosse men's basketball team earned its second straight win with a 66-49 victory at Carleton College Tuesday night in West Gym. The Eagles improve to 6-5 on the season while the Knights fall to 6-2.

Carleton took an early 6-2 lead, but UW-L went on a 15-0 run to lead 17-6 with 11:40 left after a Andy Merklein jumper. Trevor Stratton scored six points and Merklein four in the Eagles' run. The Knights cut the lead to 23-14 with 6:58 remaining in the first half when the Eagles scored 14 of the next 15 points to lead 37-15. UW-L led 37-17 at halftime and Carleton could get no closer than 10 points in the second half.

Stratton led UW-L with 18 points and six rebounds. He was five-of-eight from the field, including three-of-four from three-point range, and five-of-six at the line. Merklein finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and an assist for the Eagles.

UW-L shot 54.5% from the field, including 63.6% (14-of-22) in the first half. The Eagles were six-of-11 (54.5%) from three-point range in the contest and 12-of-18 (66.7%) at the line.

Zach Johnson led Carleton with 15 points while Seth Jonker finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Knights shot 31.4% from the field, including 25.0% (six-of-24) in the first half. Carleton was four-of-19 (21.1%) from three-point range overall and 13-of-25 (52.0%) at the line.

UW-L returns to action Saturday, Jan. 3 hosting UW-Superior at 3 p.m.