Blue Devils pass century mark in win over Finlandia

UW-Stout 111, Finlandia University 73

HANCOCK, Mich (November 24, 2019) - UW-Stout put more points on the scoreboard than the program has seen in more than two decades as the Blue Devils recorded a 111-73 win over Finlandia University at the Paavo Nurmi Center Sunday.

Rolling out to a 44-27 halftime lead, the Blue Devil (2-2) offense exploded in the second half, outscoring the Lions 67-46. After shooting 40.7 percent (19-47) in the first half from the floor, Stout shot 67.5 percent (27-40) from the floor in the second half,  

Stout last scored more than 100 points in a 106-61 win over Crown College in the 2010-11 season and the 111 points is the most the Blue Devils have scored since recording a 111-57 win over North Central Bible College during the 1994-95 season. 

Except for a brief period in the first five minutes of the game, the Blue Devils led the entire way. The score was tied at 12-12 at 14:09 of the first when Stout went on an 18-0 run for a 30-12 lead seven minutes later. Seven different Stout players contributed in the run, with Cliff McCray leading the way with five points and Luke Geiger with four points. 

McCray led all scorers with a collegiate-best 19 points, shooting 7of-11 from the field, 3-of-5 from 3-point range, had seven rebounds, two assists and seven steals - all in 18 minutes of work.

Jon Ciriacks had 16 points and Kyle Jackson 15.Jackson had a team-high eight rebounds and McCray pulled down seven caroms as Stout out-rebounded the Lions 55-32.  Marcus Hill, Jake Horton Kaden Koski and Preston Briggs each pitched in eight points. The Lions were led by Devin Moutlrie with 16 points. 

Stout finished the afternoon shooting a season-best 52.9 percent (46-87) from the floor. Stout hit 7-12 3-pointers (58.3) in the second frame and finished the game shooting 7-28 (25.0) long range shots. The Lions (0-8) finished the afternoon shooting 43.5 percent (27-62) from the floor

Stout hosts Bethany Lutheran College, Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m., then will be at Alma College, Saturday, Nov. 30 and at Saginaw Valley State Sunday, Dec. 1 in an exhibition contest with the NCAA Division II program.