WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – The season debut of the Edgewood College men's basketball didn't result in victory, but new head coach Justin Meyer can find reasons to be optimistic. Except for a rough patch to open the second half, the Eagles hung right with UW-La Crosse in a 67-54 defeat at the Just A Game Fieldhouse.

Edgewood College (0-1) stayed close in the first half thanks to six three-point baskets. Senior Cashton Craig hit three of those three-point baskets, all in the final five minutes of the half. The final one was an off balance 24-footer at the buzzer, that cut UW-La Crosse's (1-0) lead to 32-27 at the break.

Trouble for the Eagles started early in the second half, when they put UW-La Crosse at the free throw line early. Three free throws, followed by a short jumper from Luke Tweed and a three-pointer from Braden Tice, gave UW-La Crosse an 8-0 run to open the half. Edgewood College's Justin Williams brought the Eagles back within eight at 40-32, but UW-La Crosse launched an 18-2 run to go ahead 58-34 with 9:13 left to play. Edgewood College eventually chipped away at the lead by holding UW-La Crosse scoreless over the final five minutes and outscoring their WIAC opponent 10-0 to end the game.

Sophomore Joe Klocek led the Eagles with 14 points, including three three-pointers and chipped in a team-high eight rebounds. Craig and Brett Meinecke each had nine points. Edgewood College shot 42.5 percent from the field, but were outrebounded 36-25 by UW-La Crosse. UW-La Crosse was led by Lucas Collom who had 18 points and eight rebounds.

Edgewood College will return to action at the Just A Game Fieldhouse on Saturday, when they play UW-Oshkosh in a 5:00 game.