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Heading into the 1995-96 season, the UW-La Crosse Mens' Basketball team hoped to reach the .500 plateau and possibly reap the rewards of their off-season preparation with a berth in the Division III playoffs. Unfortunately, the Eagles had an up and down year that resulted in a 10-14 record overall, including a 3-13 mark in the Wisconsin State University Conference.

The season started out with the team jumping to a 4-0 record thanks to non-conference wins over Clarke, Dr. Martin Luther, Northland, and Viterbo College. The four wins were marked by a stingy defense that yielded but 60 points per outing.

With the coming of the WSUC season, the quality of opponents increased over the next two games as La Crosse started off against the top two teams from a year ago. A close loss to Stout and a defeat at Platteville dropped their record to 4-2.

The University of Dubuque would prove to be a good remedy for the Eagles, and they followed up that victory with a wins over Concordia-St. Paul and Winona State. As 1995 ended, the Eagles were 7-2 and ranked seventh in the country in defense, allowing only 58.9 points per game. The first half of the season was a marked improvement from their 1-8 start a year ago.

Following the semester break, the Eagles experienced some winter blahs of their own in January. The Eagles lost all the games they played, and were disqualified for a game at Eau Claire before even leaving La Crosse. Losses came to non-conference Edgewood and Saint Norbert College during a tournament hosted by Saint Norbert. They followed up these games with setbacks versus Oshkosh, Whitewater, Superior, Stevens Point, Stout, and Platteville. All told, the hoopsters lost all nine games in January.

As the calendar changed from January to February, the Eagles luck changed from defeats to victories early on. First, La Crosse stunned then seventh-ranked Oshkosh in overtime, 79-73. Continuing with their winning ways, they shocked Whitewater as well, 92-69. Combined with another overtime win two games later against rival Eau Claire, these three wins over a difficult four game stretch were easily the highlight of the season.

Like any good roller coaster, the highest peak precedes the biggest drop, and the Eagles proceeded to fall to Stevens Point, and River Falls.

Last Saturday, with a chance to move up to six or seventh place, the Eagles squandered a golden opportunity and lost to Superior in a lackluster 54-52 affair. The loss meant the Eagles would tie for 8th place with Superior in the WSUC race, at 3-13 in the league, and finish with an overall record of 10-14. The ten wins marked a two game improvement from last year, and marked the second consecutive year that Charlie Gross guided his troops to more wins than the season prior.

Statistically, guard Wes Warren led the team in scoring (12.1 points per game), assists (2.3 per game), steals (1.4 per game) and minutes (28.9 per game). Center Melvin Veasley paced the Eagles in rebounding with 7.8 per game, blocked shots (.8 per game) and he also led the team in shooting percentage at 49.8%. Forward Jay Daly led the Eagles at the line, converting 81.1% of his shots. The Eagles outscored their opponents 68.8 to 66.9 points per game, thanks in part to a defense that allowed opponents to shoot a frigid 41.6% from the floor.

Looking ahead to next season, the Eagles are slated to return eleven players who saw action this year and an additional five players who shirted the season but were allowed to practice with the squad. In addition, the Eagles will lose guard Wes Warren and forward Scott Prusko to graduation.

Said 6-7 sophomore center Brian Elshoff from Rochester Hills, Michigan, "It was a disappointing end to the season after we played well against some of the conference powers. We really need to focus in the off-season to accomplish what needs to be done to make La Crosse one of the top programs in the WSUC."

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