University of Dubuque 84, UW-Stout 76
MENOMONIE (December 20, 2019) – The University of Dubuque's Mitch Berger scored 35 points as the Spartans defeated UW-Stout 84-76 at a packed house Friday on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse.
Berger scored 21 points in the first half as the teams were tied at the first intermission, 36-36. The Spartans (7-1) outscored the Blue Devils 9-4 coming out of the locker room, but the Blue Devils (3-6) tied the score at 47 on
Jake Horton's bucket at 14:48. The teams traded baskets and Stout took a 59-55 lead when
Cam Brussow scored a fast break bucket off a long pass by
Luke Geiger.
The Spartans reclaimed the lead with seven minutes remaining and never trailed the rest of the way, building up as a much as a nine point lead.
Stout did manage to cut the lead to one point, going on a 10-3 run with
Luke Geiger hitting three free throws and a 3-pointer, and
Josh Mericle and
Marcus Hill each hitting a basket. Berger hit a 3-pointer after Hill's bucket and Spartans held off the Blue Devils
The Spartans got 20 points from Peter Ragan and 10 points from Avery Butler.
Geiger led Stout with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Jake Horton finished with a collegiate-best 12 points and Hill matched a collegiate-best with 10 points. Stout's
Jon Ciriacks was held to nine points, the first time this season he was limited to single digit scoring. The Blue Devils got 32 points off the bench, led by Horton and Hill.
Kaden Koski scored all six of his points in the first half.
The featured six tied scores and 14 lead changes.
Stout shot 47.6 percent (30-63) from the floor, 40.0 percent (8-20) from 3-point range and 57.1 percent (8-14) from the line. The Spartans shot 46.8 percent (29-62) from the floor, 31.3 percent (5-16) from beyond the arc and 72.4 percent (21-29) from the line.
Stout returns to action Sunday, Dec. 29 at the St. Norbert College Nicolet National Bank Holiday Tournament. The Blue Devils open up against Edgewood College and will play either St. Norbert or UW-Superior Monday, Dec. 30.
