UW-Stout 77, UW-River Falls 70
RIVER FALLS (December 1, 2021) – UW-Stout came out of the halftime locker room to turn around a nine-point deficit and went on to defeat UW-River Falls, 77-70, in a WIAC opener Wednesday at Don Page Arena.
Trailing 40-31 at halftime, Stout (3-3, 1-0 WIAC) tied the score by the end of the third period, 53-53, then outscored the Falcons 24-17, in the final period to grab the win.
The Blue Devils went on a 12-4 run to open the second to pull to within one point, with
Sam Schaeffer powering the run with a 3-pointer and two free throws.
Amanda Giesen hit a 3-pointer to pull Stout to within 44-43 at 5:52 of the third period, only to see the Falcons jump back out to a six point lead. Trailing 53-47 with 2:07 remaining in the third, Stout shut the Falcons out the rest of the period as Stout tied the score at 53 with a free throw by
Lizzy Olsem and a 3-pointer and a field goal by
Raegan Sorensen.
Stout only trailed briefly in the final quarter.
Anna Mutch tied the score at 63 all with a free throw and put Stout ahead for good with the back end of two charity shots. With a two point lead, Stout's
Sydney Jahr blocked a shot, grabbed the rebound and seconds late sunk a jumper for a four point lead and stretched the lead to 68-62 with another bucket at 2:48. Stout made 9 of 10 free throws down the stretch to lock up the win.
Mutch led Stout with 16 points, while Olsem added 13 points and Giesen 12. Schaeffer finished the night with nine points and Jahr and
Lauren Arenz tallied eight points each.
Stout drilled a season-high 22 free throws, hitting 22 of 32 throws, with Mutch scoring eight free throws and Giesen five.
The Falcons (4-3, 0-1 WIAC) had four players in double figures, led by Jenna Zeman and Macy Nilson with 19. Haley DeSouza had 13 and Cassie Heinrichs had 10.
Stout held a commanding 45-27 lead in rebounds. Mutch had nine rebounds, Olsen eight and Arenz seven.
The Blue Devils will return to Johnson Fieldhouse to host UW-Whitewater, Saturday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.