UW-Stout 83, UW-Stevens Point 85
MENOMONIE (February 18, 2022) - UW-Stevens Point found the bottom of the net as the buzzer sounded to advance to the second round of the WIAC Men's Basketball Tournament (presented by Culver's) and put an end to UW-Stout's season. The Pointers scored the last five points of the game to close out the win, 85-83, on Friday night at Johnson Fieldhouse.
The game was back and forth from the beginning, with both teams trading baskets early on. Stevens Point maintained the lead for a majority of the first half, at one point even jumping out to a 11 point lead. But Stout battled back and finished the first half on a 8-2 run. The Blue Devils entered the halftime break only down by three, 35-32.
The second half looked better for Stout, as they gained the lead and were able to hold it down to the final wire. Stout was up by three when Stevens Point's Garrett Nelson shot up a last effort 3-point shot with 0.5 seconds left on the clock, but was fouled went to the line for three free throws. Nelson connected on all three free throws to tie the game at 83 apiece. Stout was unable to connect on the inbound pass, and Stevens Point got the ball back with 0.5 still on the clock.
Stevens Point then ran a quick out of bounds play and Nelson hit a lay-up as time expired, taking the game 85-83.
The Pointers were led by Nelson who finished with 23 points. Zach Mootz and Brady Wagner added 16 and 15 to the Pointers total.
Stout saw five players in double digits.
Jon Ciriacks led the Blue Devils with 19, followed by
Lovell Williams and
Luke Geiger with 18.
Armani Tinsley and
Brody Fox each added 10. Senior
TYreese Alexander finished with six points and pulled down a team best eight rebounds.
Stout finished with a 57-percent shooting clip from the floor (32 for 56). Stevens Point finished 55-percent (34 for 62). Both teams went 10 of 19 from behind the arc, but Stout had the advantage from the line, going 9 of 11 to Points; 7 of 12.
The Pointers will travel to UW-La Crosse, Tuesday, Feb. 22 in the second round of the WIAC Tournament.
The game marked the final collegiate game for seniors Ciriacks, Geiger, Tinsley, Alexander, Kyle Wiliams, Jarnard Smith and
Drew Scott.
