Junior Eli Fitzsimons, of Darlingoton, Wis., scored a game-high 24 points and junior Justin Heng, of Norfolk, Neb., added 14 points Tuesday night in Clarke's 73-66 non-conference home loss to UW-Platteville. Senior Thomas Ammon, of Redding, Calif., added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Crusaders, who slipped to 0-5.

UW-Platteville (1-0) led 35-34 at the break and owned a 12-point advantage with 7:32 remaining. Clarke then went on a 16-6 run, pulling Coach Jerry Drymon's Crusaders within two at 68-66 with just 1:47 showing on clock. Fitzsimons' basket capped off the rally, but the Crusaders were outscored 7-0 down the stretch.

Fitsimons was 8-of-9 from the field, including a 3-of-4 showing from beyond the three-point arc.

Shane Keiler led UW-Platteville with 16 points.

Eric Wall grabbd a game-high nine rebounds for the Pioneers, who shot 55.6 percent from the field and owned a 32-21 advantage on the boards.

Clarke will return to action on Friday, when the Crusaders travel to Winona, Minn., to face Winona State University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

-CRUSADERS-