In Friday's non-league match, the visiting Chippewa Falls Cardinals basketball team scored a good 71-52 triumph over the Merrill Bluejays.

In their next game, the Cardinals meet the Menomonie Mustangs (Menomonie, WI) in a Big Rivers match, on Tuesday, January 3. Chippewa Falls will attempt to move on its 5-2 season record. The Mustangs enter the match with a 4-3 record after their 64-61 non-league loss to Tomah (Tomah, WI).

With the defeat, Merrill moves to 3-4 on the year. The Bluejays host Stevens Point (Stevens Point, WI) to meet the Panthers in a Wisconsin Valley match on Friday, January 6. The Panthers enter the match with a record of 3-5. Stevens Point won 57-37 in their recent non-league match against Eau Claire North (Eau Claire, WI)