Blue Devils stay with Pioneers, but drop 84-72 decision

UW-Platteville 84, UW-Stout 72

MENOMONIE (February 8, 2020) – UW-Stout stayed within striking range, pulling to within one point, 59-58, midway through the second half, but 12^th-ranked UW-Platteville pulled out to as much as a 14 point lead and went on to an 84-72 win over the Blue Devils Saturday.
 
The Pioneers (18-3, 8-2 WIAC) had five players in double figures, led by Justin Stovall's 22 points. Kyle Tuma added 18, Carter Voelker 15, Quentin Shields – who scored his 1000^th career point in the game – chipped in 13 and Blake MCann came off the bench for 10 points.

TYreese Alexander's jumper with 10:21 left in the second half pulled Stout to within one point, 59-58, but that would be as clsoe as Stout would get the rest of the way.
 
Stout (5-16, 1-9 WIAC) was led by TYreese Alexander's 15 points. Jon Ciriacks contributed 14 and Cliff McCray 13 points. Marcus Hill had 10 rebounds and six points.

Stout shot 39.2 percent (29-74) for the game and hit 9 of 14 free throws. The Pioneers, the top free throw shooting team in the conference, cashed in at the line, making 23 of 27 chances (85.2 percent). The Pioneers shot 50.0 percent (27-54) from the field.

The Blue Devils' pressure defense did force 15 Platteville turnovers. Stout took care of the ball, turning it over a near season-low eight times. 
 
Stout will be at UW-La Crosse, Wednesday, Feb. 12.