SCRANTON, Pa. – The UW-Stout Blue Devils are heading to the Final Four for the first time in program history after a thrilling 81-77 victory over No. 5-ranked Scranton in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Elite Eight on Saturday night at the John Long Center.
Led by a dominant performance from Raegan Sorensen, who matched a career-high with 33 points, the Blue Devils (23-7) overcame multiple lead changes and a late push from the Royals (29-2) to make history.
After trailing by two at the end of the first quarter, Stout took control in the second, outscoring Scranton 23-15 behind efficient shooting and tenacious defense. The Blue Devils extended their lead to as much as nine in the third before Scranton mounted a comeback, but clutch baskets down the stretch sealed the victory.
With the game tied at 77-77 in the final minute, Amanda Giesen delivered in the clutch, knocking down a contested jumper as the shot clock expired to put Stout ahead for good. Sorensen then iced the game at the free-throw line, sending the Blue Devils to their first-ever national semifinal.
Giesen finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while Anna Mutch added 12 points. The Blue Devils shot 50 percent from the field, including 7-of-15 from beyond the arc.
Scranton, led by Kaci Kranson's 25 points, made a late surge in the fourth quarter, but key defensive stops and free throws in the final moments secured the win for Stout.
By the Numbers
- 33 – Raegan Sorensen's career-high-tying point total, leading all scorers.
- 22 – Points from Amanda Giesen, including the game-winning shot.
- 50% – Stout's field goal percentage (30-of-60).
- 7-of-15 – Stout's three-point shooting (46.7%).
- 18 – Points off turnovers for the Blue Devils, key in a tightly contested game.
- 7 – Lead changes in the game.
Up Next
With the victory, UW-Stout advances to the national semifinals, where they will face No. 1-ranked and defending national champion NYU (29-0) on Thursday in Salem, Virginia. The Violets, who have been dominant all season, present Stout's toughest challenge yet, but the Blue Devils will look to continue their Cinderella run with a trip to the national championship on the line.
