LA CROSSE, Wis. – The UW-River Falls men's basketball team fell 77-66 at No. 11-ranked UW-La Crosse Wednesday evening. 

UWRF, now 7-6 overall and 0-4 during WIAC play, shot 11-of-24 from beyond the arc and put together a strong second half, but the Eagles outscored the Falcons 46-20 in the paint and limited the visitors to just seven looks at the charity stripe.

UWL opened the game on an 8-0 run before the Falcons responded, tying the game at 15-15 eight minutes into the first half with one of Noah Hanson's five three-pointers on the night.

The Eagles answered on a 7-0 run and led for the remainder of the first half, earning its largest lead of the half with a free throw late, taking a 38-29 halftime lead.

UWRF shot under 40 percent from the field in the first half but went 50 percent from three-point range.

The Falcons' shooting numbers improved from the floor in the second half, converting 14-of-27, but UWL was just as strong, shooting nearly 60 percent from the field.

A Marshall Holland triple six minutes into the second half put the Falcons within two points of the Eagles, down 50-48, but it was the closest UWRF got to breaking UWL's lead.

Back-to-back three-pointers from Hanson and Jake Reeck with three minutes left trimmed the UWL lead to 68-64, although it was too late, and the Eagles held the Falcons at bay.

Hanson led the Falcons with 23 points off 7-of-14 shooting from the field, while Rodrick Payne led the team with six rebounds and Bryce Phillips collected five assists.

UW-River Falls returns to Page Arena on Saturday, Jan. 15 to host UW-Whitewater.