UW-Stout 76, Luther College 61
MENOMONIE (November 19, 2019) - UW-Stout was able to overcome Luther College's press and the Blue Devils went on to take a 76-61 non-conference win over the Norse Tuesday on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse.
The Norse (0-4) pressed the Blue Devils (3-1) for much of the game, forcing Stout into a season-high 21 turnovers, which Luther converted into 29 points. But the Blue Devils' are no slouch when it comes to defensive pressure and Stout forced 19 Luther turnovers.
Stout held a 34-25 lead, with
Shannan Watkins scoring all 12 of her points in the first half, drilling her first five shots of the night. Stout shook off the pesky Norse in the third period, using a 26-16 advantage in the third as
Amber Fabeck scored eight of her 14 points in the stanza to jump out to a 19-point, 60-41, gap.
Lizzy Olsem scored six of her 13 points in the period and
Liz Oswald and
Becky Fesenmaier each chipped in five points.
After Stout jumped up to as much as a 22 point lead, the Norse cut the lead down to 10 points, but never cut the deficit to less than 10 points.
Fabeck and Oswald each scored 14 points to lead Stout. Olsem finished with a career-best 13 points. Watkins finished the night with 12 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists.
Luther's Sarah Holtz led all scorers with 20 points. Laura Hamilton added 14 points and Madison Spence had 11 points.
Stout hit 28-54 (.519) from the floor, 5-16 (.313) from 3-point range and 15-22 (.682) from the free throw line. Luther was 22-59 (.373) from the floor, 7-19 (.368) from 3-point range and 10-16 (.625) from the line. Stout held a 37-31 advantage in rebounding.
The Blue Devils will play the second game in a three-game homestand when they host St. Scholastica, Saturday, Nov.. 23 at 2:30 p.m.
