NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Josh Engelberg tallied a career-best 17 points, but the Carleton College men's basketball team dropped its season opener, 80-65, against visiting University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
 
The Blugolds' (2-0) roster includes a NCAA Division I transfer and five others from Division II programs, including four starters in this contest.
 
"As we told our guys, this was going to be a learning experience, no matter what happens," said Carleton head coach Ryan Kershaw. "We played 20 minutes of pretty good basketball. To play at (conference championship game) level, we have to be more consistent both physically and mentally for 40 minutes. Certainly, the outcome is disappointing, but we knew we were going to learn. Despite the outcome, there were some bright things that were positive to see."
 
A tight first half featured nine ties and six lead changes, but UW-Eau Claire (2-0) closed the stanza with an 8-1 spurt and took a 36-32 advantage into the break. Carleton (0-1) pulled to with 45-44 with 16:05 remaining, but the visitors went on a 31-8 run over the next 12 and half minutes to seize control of the contest.
 
Sam Koelling chipped in a 13-point effort for the Knights, with Tysen Hayes adding nine points, six rebounds, and a game-high three blocked shots.
 
Will Boser and Kenji Scales paced the Blugolds with 14 points apiece, while Xavier Lewis scored all 11 of his points in the first half.
 
UW-Eau Claire shot 44.6 percent overall and 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from beyond the arc. Carleton connected at a 36.5 percent clip and was 7-of-21 (33.3 percent) from long range.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton heads to University of Wiscosin-River Falls for a 7:00 p.m. contest on Wednesday, Nov. 12.