Early start does not faze Stout, down Dubuque 78-61

UW-Stout 78, University of Dubuque 61

MENOMONIE (December 20, 2019) – The early tip-off didn't slow UW-Stout down as the Blue Devils charged out to a 22-10 first quarter start and held a 46-24 halftime lead on their way to a 78-61 win over the University of Dubuque Friday on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse.
 
With loud and supportive area elementary and middle school youngsters in attendance for a Kids Day with a 10:30 a.m. start, Katie Christopherson keyed the Blue Devils (7-2) with seven points in the first stanza. Lindsey Johnson and Alexa Neilitz came off the bench to account for seven points, Johnson with four and Neilitz three to give Stout a boost. The 22 first quarter points was a season-high
 
The starters gave the Blue Devils the boost in the second half as Amber Fabeck and Liz Oswald each scored seven second quarter points, matching the Spartans' (4-4) 14 points.
 
Dubuque outscored Stout in the second half, 37-32, but only got as close as 15 points near the end of the third quarter, but Oswald nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put Stout up by 18 (61-43) heading into the final stanza.
 
Fabeck and Oswald led Stout with 13 points. Christopherson finished with a collegiate-best 11 points. Neilitz scored a collegiate-best seven points and five rebounds. The Spartans' Jaden Kelley came off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 points.
 
Both teams shot the best in the third quarter, the Spartans shooting 61.5 percent (8-13), while Stout shot 58.3 percent (7-12).

The Blue Devils dominated the glass by a 2-to-1 margin, pulling down a season-high 50 rebounds to 25 for the Spartans. Stout also overcame a season-high 27 turnovers, but forced 21 Dubuque turnovers.
 
For the game, Stout shot 47.7 percent (31-65) from the floor, while the Spartans shot 32.7 percent (17-52).
 
Stout is off until they travel to Naples, Fla., to participate in the Naples Shootout, Sunday, Dec. 29, and Monday, Dec. 30. Stout will play first-time opponents, Salisbury University Sunday and Husson College Monday.