Whitworth University 104, UW-Stout 84
SPOKANE, Wash (December 27, 2009) -
MIchael Fant (Sr, Weston) scored a career-high 18 points and UW-Stout had one of their biggest offensive outputs of the season, but the Blue Devil still lost to Whitworth University, 104-84, Sunday.
Stout (4-7) used the three-point shot to keep on even terms with Whitworth in the first half. The Blue Devils were 10 of 16 from beyond the arc in the first half, and the treys accounted for two-thirds of their total baskets. After Whitworth (6-2) took an initial 4-0 lead, Stout got three threes, including two by Jerrod Buchholtz (Jr, Durand), to go up 9-7.
Whitworth went back in front 17-11 after a breakaway dunk by David Riley, but the Devils fought back to take a 25-24 edge after a three-pointer by Fant. Stout eventually took a 30-25 lead with six minutes to play in the half on a lay up by Nathan Staidl (Sr, Lena). However, Whitworth outscored the visitors 28-15 over the final six minutes of the period to take a 53-45 lead into the locker rooms.
The Pirates went on a quick 11-2 run to open the second half, including five points by Eric Beal, to open up a 64-47 advantage. The afternoon was huge from beyond the arc. Whitworth nailed 15-of-33 from downtown, while Stout was 12-of-24 from outside.
Fant scored a career-high 18 points off of the bench to lead Stout, going 6-for-11 from the floor and 3-of-4 from three point range. He also shared team-high honors with five rebounds. Buchholtz added 13 points, while Eric Hostetter (Jr, Stillwater, Minn) and Jerrel Enerson-Matthews (Sr, Anoka, Minn) each scored 11 points. Enerson-Matthews led his team with five assists. After making 10 of 16 from three-point range in the first half, the Devils cooled off from behind the arc in the second period.
The 84 points scored was the second most points Stout has scored this season. The Blue Devils scored 91 points in a win over Northland College in their Thanksgiving tournament opener. Stout scored 84 points the next night in an overtime loss to Mount Mercy.
The Pirates' David Riley scored 26 points to lead four Whitworth players in double figures. Eric Beal added 21 points. The Pirates connected on 23-of-25 free throws, while Stout was 10-of-16 from the line.
Stout will be at Lewis-Clark State College Monday, Dec. 28 for a 7 p.m., Pacific Time, start (9 CT).
