UW-L Shoots Season-High in Win over Dakota Wesleyan

For Immediate Release: Monday, December 29, 2008

La Crosse, Wis. – The UW-La Crosse men's basketball team shot a season-high 60.0% and earned an 95-63 victory over Dakota Wesleyan University (S.D.) Monday night in Mitchell Hall. The Eagles improve to 5-5 overall while the Tigers fall to 11-4. Dakota Wesleyan entered the contest ranked 23rd in NAIA Division II.

UW-L's 95 points was the most ever under sixth-year head coach Ken Koelbl. The game was tied 8-8 with 17:46 left when the Eagles scored the next eight points. UW-L led 22-13 with 13:06 remaining in the half when it went on a 15-5 run to lead 37-18 with 8:29 left. The Eagles led 47-34 at halftime.

Dakota Wesleyan could get no closer than its halftime deficit of 13.

UW-L shot 60.0% (36-of-60) from the field for the game, including 65.5% (19-of-29) in the second half. The Eagles were 13-of-25 (52.0%) from three-point range in the contest as the 13 three-pointers was a season-high. The team was seven-of-13 (53.8%) from three-point range in the first half. UW-L finished 10-of-15 (66.7%) from the line.

Tony Mane led the Eagles with 17 points, including 13 in the first half. Kurt Kincaid added 12 points while TJ Nereng added 11 and Trevor Stratton 10. Andy Merklein finishedf with eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds and five assists. Fifteen players scored in the game for UW-L.

Brady Wiebe led Dakota Wesleyan with 14 points while Ike Muoneke had 12 and Colby Fitzgerald 11. The Tigers shot 35.4% (23-of-65) from the field, including 26.1% (six-of-23) from three-point range. The team was 11-of-22 (50.0%) at the line.

UW-L returns to action Tuesday, December 30 at Carleton College (Minn.) at 7 p.m.