The UW-Eau Claire men’s basketball team staged another comeback in Zorn Arena Wednesday night, led by senior Todd Marks as the Blugolds were victorious against UW-Stout for the second time this season.

The Blugolds found themselves in a hole early, down 13-2.

But the ‘Golds switched early on from a man defense to a match-up zone. Slowly, the team cut away at the deficit with patience and tough defense.

Eau Claire went on a run to end the half down five, 35-30.

The Blugolds faced a stingy, trapping full-court press, which didn’t end once the Blugolds got the ball out of the backcourt.

Early on, the trap slowed the ‘Golds from getting in their offensive sets and it made them waste time on the shot clock. Stout also played a physical game around the paint.

Marks showed his leadership as he stepped it up during crunch time.

“We need that out of our seniors,” said head coach Terry Gibbons. “We need them to step up and be leaders.”

Marks proved he is a leader as he hit a left-handed floater and added a free throw to convert the three-point play, which put the Blugolds up 66-64 with 1:25 left in the game.

He also knocked down two clutch free throws with 48.1 seconds left.

“I just got into the flow of the offense towards the end,” Marks said. “It’s always a physical game when we play Stout. They are always a strong team. My teamates got me the ball for good shots and I had the easy job.”

Stout’s physical play couldn’t stop junior Andy Witte from banging in the post and making his presence felt. Witte grabbed five offensive rebounds and dropped in 11 points.

“Witte really swept up the garbage area for us tonight,” Gibbons said. “It was a tough WIAC basketball game.”

Stout’s quick guards matched up well with the Blugolds.

Senior point guard Matt Fermanich was smart with the basketball as he picked away at the holes in Stout’s press.

Fermanich played the entire 40 minutes and still had it in him to drop four free throws with less than a minute left in the game. Fermanich ended up with seven points, two assists and one steal.

Sophomore Jason Larson was all over the court as he added eight points and snatched five rebounds, four of which were offensive.

He was quick to get to the bucket and was unselfish with the ball. Larson also led the team with four assists and two steals.

The ‘Golds out-rebounded Stout 14 to 10 and shot 12 free throws to Stout’s eight.

“We were taking the ball to the basket which allowed for some easy put-backs,” Gibbons said.

Senior Sherm Carstensen had an active first half scoring 11 points on six of 12 shooting.

When Carstensen wasn’t catching lobs for easy buckets, he was running his man off screens for jumpers. Carstensen was six for 13 from the field, including two of seven from three-point range. He finished with 16 points before fouling out with 3:55 left in the game.

“I was happy that we stuck it out as a team,” Carstensen said. “Marks really stepped it up big for us tonight. He’s capable of doing that every night.”

The ‘Golds are now tied for second place in the conference with UW-Superior. Their next game is Feb. 7 when they host UW-Stevens Point at Zorn Arena.