MENOMONIE, Wis. – In their first game back inside Johnson Fieldhouse since last season's unforgettable NCAA second-round victory over #4 Whitman that propelled UW-Stout to the program's first-ever Final Four, the Blue Devils delivered another memorable win. Stout (2-1) overcame an early 14-2 deficit to defeat #13 Bethel (0-1) 61-53 on Tuesday night in front of an energetic home crowd.
Bethel's stifling full-court press flustered Stout early, forcing turnovers and fueling a 16-9 first-quarter lead for the Royals. But once the Blue Devils settled in, they flipped the script. Stout closed the half on a 30-6 run—highlighted by 21 points off 15 Bethel turnovers and crisp ball movement for open looks—to take a 32-20 halftime advantage.
The Royals battled back in the third, outscoring Stout 22-14 behind Alli Born's 10 points in the quarter, trimming the gap to 46-42 entering the fourth. Stout responded with poise, pushing the lead back to double digits on a Mary Berg 3-pointer and never trailing again. The Blue Devils sealed it at the line, going 6-of-8 in the final period.
Berg led four Stout players in double figures with 12 points (3-8 FG, 2-4 3PT, 4-4 FT) and added five steals. Grace Schisel chipped in 11 points and five steals, Rosella Wille posted 10 points and seven rebounds, and Julia Rybacki contributed seven points off the bench. Stout forced 26 Bethel turnovers, converting them into 21 points, while dishing 13 assists on 22 made baskets.
Born paced Bethel with a game-high 16 points (7-13 FG) and six steals, but the Royals shot just 32.8% from the floor and 17.4% from three (4-23).
By the Numbers
- 21: Points off turnovers for Stout (Bethel: 18)
- 26: Bethel turnovers forced by Stout's defense
- 13: Assists for Stout on 22 field goals (59.1% assist rate)
- 32: Points in the paint for Stout (Bethel: 26)
- 17: Bench points for Stout (Bethel: 11)
- 52.9%: Stout's second-quarter FG% (9-17) vs. Bethel's 8.3% (1-12)
Up Next The Blue Devils hit the road for a non-conference tilt at Concordia College (Minn.) on Sunday, November 16 in Moorhead, Minn. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.
