Blue Devils taken down by Falcons

UW-River Falls 92, UW-Stout 79

RIVER FALLS (January 15, 2020) - UW-Stout shot better than 50 percent from the floor and transfer TYreese Alexander scored a season-high, but the Blue Devils were toppled by UW-River Falls, 92-79, Wednesday at Page Arena.

Alexander scored a Stout-high 21 point, evenly distributing his point total in each half, scoring 10 points in the first half and 11 in the second. As a team, the Blue Devils (5-10, 1-3 WIAC) shot 50.8 percent, hitting 30 of 59 shots from the floor, including seven 3-pointers. 

The Falcons (9-6, 2-2 WIAC) held a 43-34 halftime lead and shot 55.9 percent from the floor for the game, hitting 33 of 59 shots, including six 3-pointers. 

The teams played relatively even in the second half, but the Falcons kept Stout at arms length by shooting 61.5 percent in the second half. The Blue Devils shot 53.3 percent in the second half, but only got as close as eight points.

Alexander led Stout by hitting the 20-point mark for the first time in his Stout career, finishing with 21 points, dropping in 9 of 13 shots. He also made all three free throws.

Jon Ciriacks had his string of 20-point game stopped, but he still scored 15 points. Luke Geiger finished with 14 points.

The Falcons' Julian Jackson led all scorers with 27 points. Bryce Phillips had 14 points, Austin Werdin 13 points and Noah Hanson 10 points. 

With the higher shooting percentage, rebounds were at a premium tonight, with no player pulling down more than six, including Alexander and Werdin.

The Blue Devils will host UW-Whitewater, Saturday, Jan. 18 and then will host UW-La Crosse, Wednesday, Jan. 22.