UW-Stout 81, UW-River Falls 74
MENOMONIE (December 1, 2021) - The UW-Stout men's basketball team started their WIAC season with a home win against UW-River Falls, 81-74, on Wednesday night at Johnson Fieldhouse.
The Blue Devils (5-1, 1-0 WIAC) came out of the gates roaring to start off the game, forcing a quick turnover which led to an
Armani Tinsley three. River Falls (5-3, 0-1 WIAC) was able to stay on the heels of Stout, but they were never able to take the lead throughout the whole game. The Blue Devil's biggest lead of the night was 15, which came at the end of an 11-point run late in the first half.
The 11-point run was fueled by the grit-and-grind basketball that the Blue Devils have showcased this season. During the stretch, a
Drew Scott steal resulted in an easy layup for
Jon Ciriacks. The next time down the court, Tinsley earned a trip to the line. After sinking the first free throw, Tinsley was able to get his own rebound off his second shot which earned Stout an extra possession.
Jon Ciriacks capitalized on the second-chance opportunity with a 3-ball. Ciriacks had 18 points, shooting an outstanding 60-percent from the floor (6 for 10) and 60-percent from deep (3 for 5). He also pulled down eight rebounds. Ciriacks finished with an outstanding 77 true shooting percentage.
Entering the second half, Stout was up by 10, and kept fighting hard against the Falcons. The Falcons saw a sliver of light towards the end of the game to sneak by for the win. River Falls went on a 8-point run to pull the game within six. The Falcons then resorted to intentionally fouling to try to keep the clock on their side, but it backfired on them as Stout went a perfect 8 for 8 from the charity stripe in the final two minutes to finish out the game.
The Falcons were led by Noah Hanson, with 17 points. Hanson usually is able to light it up from beyond the arc, but Stout was able to hold him to only 1 for 10 in 3-pointers. Terence Anthony-Larmouth finished with 14 points and Rodrick Payne finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Stout was led by
Armani Tinsley with 20 points, four assists, and a career-high six rebounds.
Lovell Williams scored 16 points, four of which came from the free throw line in crunch time.
Stout completed 43-percent of their field goals (29 for 68) while River Falls connected on 47-percent (28 for 60). Stout was able to outperform the Falcons behind the arc, connecting on 30-percent of three-pointers (8 for 27). Stout's gritty style of play is shown in the box score, leading in offensive rebounds (19 to 14), fouls drawn (21 to 19), and steals (12 to 5).
The Men's Basketball team will travel to Whitewater on Saturday, December 4, to take on the Warhawks. They will be back to Johnson Fieldhouse on Monday, December 6, for their make-up game against Lakeside University. The game will tip off at 6 p.m.
