EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – Led by a career-high 26 points from Nick Craggs (Jr.-Kimberly, Wis.), the UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team took down UW-Oshkosh 79-67 at Zorn Arena tonight.

The Blugolds led a majority of the night but Oshkosh had some spurts that gave Eau Claire trouble.

In the opening minutes, the teams went back and forth but Eau Claire found its way to an eight-point lead seven minutes into the game with a Jordan Petersen (Jr.-Strum, Wis./Eleva-Strum) three-pointer.

The Titans battled back and after a 17-10 run, tied the game at 30. But the Blugolds scored eight unanswered, six coming from Craggs, to take a 38-30 lead into halftime.

When the Blugolds finally seemed to take control in the second half after getting up by 11 points midway through the half, the Titans went on a 19-6 run to get up by two points (60-58) with just over five minutes left.

But over the final five minutes, Eau Claire controlled the rest of the way as they outscored the Titans 21-7. Petersen scored 10 of the points in that stretch.

Craggs finished 11-for-12 from the floor, including going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, to lead three Blugolds in double-figures. He also led the Blugolds with six rebounds.

Petersen scored 17 points while Nick Bartlett (Jr.-Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) finished with 11.

The Blugolds did well converting turnovers into points. Forcing 11 Titan turnovers, the Blugolds came away with 21 points while Oshkosh scored only seven off six Blugold turnovers.

Eau Claire improves to 10-5 overall and 3-4 in the WIAC. Oshkosh drops to 4-11 and 0-6 in conference play.

Next up, the Blugolds will be at UW-River Falls on Saturday. The game is part of a doubleheader with the women and is scheduled to get underway at 5 p.m.

-KM-