Blue Devils run past Bethany Lutheran in second half, take 76-63 win

UW-Stout 76, Bethany Lutheran College 63

MANKATO, Minn. (December 18, 2021) - UW-Stout overcame a 12-point deficit in the third period and freshman Raegan Sorensen helped the Blue Devils run past Bethany Lutheran College, 76-63, Saturday, 

Trailing 40-28 a couple minutes into the third period, Stout (5-4) outscored the Vikings - who were hosting their first home game of the season after 10 road games to open the season - 19-7 in the third quarter, scoring the first seven points of the quarter  and went on an 18-2 run.

The Blue Devils tied the score at 43 apiece on a lay-up off a steal by Sorensen with 1:59 left in the third period, a play that would ignite Sorensen for the rest of the game.  Anna Mutch gave Stout the lead seconds later and Stout never trailed the rest of the way.  

Sorensen scored five points in the first half, but starting when she tied the game, went on to finish the game with a career-best 25 points, scoring 20 second half points and 14 in the fourth quarter alone. Stout would build a 17-point lead over the Vikings (7-4) and outscored their host 29-19 in the final quarter.

Sorensen collected her first collegiate double-double, tallying 10 rebounds to go with her game-high 25 points. Sorensen was 10 of 17 from the field, 3 of 4 from 3-point range and 2 of 3 from the line. Sorensen completed her all-around game with five assists and three steals. The last time a Stout player scored 25 or more points was Jan. 29, 2020, when Amber Fabeck dropped 28 points on UW-Eau Claire.

Mutch scored 14 points, hitting only 3 of 11 from the field, but drained 8 of 14 free throws. Sidney Jahr scored nine points for the Blue Devils. Stout was 28 of 60 from the field, 7 of 17 from 3-point range and 13 of 21 from the free throw line. 

Hannah Geistfeld scored 22 points for the Vikings and Taryn Christiansen had 15 points.  Geistfeld had 16 rebounds. The Vikings were 21 of 54 from the floor, 6 of 25 from beyond the arc and 15 of 24 from the line. Stout out-rebounded Bethany 39-35. 

Stout returns to Johnson Fieldhouse Tuesday, Dec. 21 when they host Finlandia University with a 10:30 a.m. tip-off.