McMurry University 79, UW-Stout 75 (OT)
MENOMONIE (November 16, 2018) - UW-Stout rallied back from a 16 point deficit midway through the second half to force overtime, but the Blue Devils came up short in the extra period as they fell to McMurry University in Stout's Tip Off Classic Friday on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse.
The Blue Devils (2-1) led for most of the first half, but the visiting War Hawks from Texas, took the lead for the first time in the game with about five minutes left in the first half when Elijiah Johnson hit a 3-pointer for a 20-18 lead. Stout tied the score at 23-23 on
John Keefe's three throw, then took the lead at 25-23 on
D'Marcco Patrick's two free throws. A layup by Keefe - who had 12 points in the first half - gave Stout a four point lead, but McMurry finished the half on an 8-0 run and led 31-27 at halftime.
McMurry (1-0) kept the momentum going out of the locker room and soon zoomed up to a double-digit lead. Stout cut the lead to as little as six points, but the War Hawks built a 62-46 lead which was accentuated by a Mike Williams, Jr., dunk.
Stout slowly came back. Two 3-pointers by Keefe got the Blue Devils back on track and Keefe would lead the charge, scoring 20 points in a seven minute stretch that saw Stout regain the lead, 68-67, on a 3-pointer by Keefe with 2:40 left in the game. During that stretch, Stout outscored McMurry, 21-5, and a four point lead with just over a minute left in regulation when
Zach Dahl hit a 3-pointer.
Krishawn Terry scored on a layup with 52 seconds remaining and Zacc Carter tied the score on a dunk, sending the game into overtime tied at 71 each.
Keefe scored three free throws and Dahl had a free throw for Stout's only points in the extra. With the scored tied at 75, Carter took a layup down the lane to give McMurry the two point lead and Johnson stretched the lead to four on a pair of free throws.
Keefe led all scorers with a career-high 33 points, hitting 10 of 23 from the floor, knocking down 4 of 14 3-pointers and 9 of 12 free throws. Dahl had his best scoring game so far of the short season, dropping in 18 points, hitting 6 of 8 from the floor, connecting on all five of his 3-point shots.
Brandon Gilbertson got into double digits with 10 points.
Carter led four War Hawks in double digits with 20 points. Johnson finished the night with 17 points. Jordan Jackson had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Williams topped off with 12 points.
Stout was limited to 30.1 percent shooting from the floor (22 of 73), while McMurry shot 42.0 percent (29 of 69). The War Hawks held a 53-47 advantage off the glass.
In the opening game of the day, Bethel University ran over UW-Eau Claire, 72-56.
McMurry will face Eau Claire in the 5 p.m. opening game Saturday. Stout will play Bethel at 7 p.m.
