The Falcon men's basketball team lost a 93-78 WIAC game at UW-La Crosse Wednesday night and now trail first place UW-Stevens Point by a game with one game to play.

The Falcons held a 36-35 lead at the half. They battled back from a 10 point deficit to grab the halftime lead. UWL led, 30-20, with 6:24 to go when Luke Tweed hit a three. But UWRF chipped away at the lead and tied the game for the first time, 34-34, with 1:41 to go when Shane Manor (Altoona, UW-Superior) threw down a dunk. After the Eagles hit a free throw to take a 35-34 lead, Jake Voeltz (River Falls, River Falls HS) hit a layup with 46 seconds to play to give the Falcons the one-point halftime lead.

For the first six minutes of the second half it was a close game with neither team leading by more than three. But La Crosse went on a 7-0 run to take an eight point, 54-46, lead with 13:17 to go. UWL led for the next 10 minutes by eight to 10 points. The closest the Falcons would get in that stretch was eight points with 5:55 to play. Manor hit a jumper, was fouled, and made the free throw to get the Falcons to within 71-63. From then the Eagles had control of the game and had two 17 point leads after that.

Manor led UWRF with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Voeltz added 19 points and six rebounds. 

UWL, now 14-10 overall and 9-6 in the WIAC, was led by Tony Mane who scored 27 points. He was 6-8 from behind the arc. Three other Eagles, Jordan Rumpel (20), Cory Degner (18) and Al Chery (13) all scored in double figures. Rumple led all players with 11 rebounds. 

The Falcons, now 19-5 overall and 12-3 in the WIAC, will play the final game of the regular season on Saturday at Platteville. Tip off is set for 4 p.m. UWSP will play at La Crosse on Saturday.

Box Score