SALEM, Va. – The University of Wisconsin-Stout's remarkable NCAA Tournament run came to an end Thursday night as the Blue Devils fell 74-55 to undefeated and top-ranked New York University in the national semifinals at the Cregger Center.
Facing the defending national champions, who extended their winning streak to an astounding 61 games—the longest in all of NCAA basketball—UW-Stout battled but struggled against NYU's relentless full-court pressure. The Violets forced 15 turnovers, converting them into 24 points, and used their depth and defensive intensity to keep the Blue Devils from ever finding a rhythm.
Sorensen Becomes UW-Stout's All-Time Leading Scorer
Despite the loss, senior Raegan Sorensen delivered a stellar farewell performance, scoring 29 points on 14-of-26 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds. With her 14th point of the game in the third quarter, Sorensen surpassed Julia Hirssig's all-time program scoring record of 1,738 points, set in 2010. She finishes her career as the Blue Devils' all-time leading scorer with 1,754 career points.
Game Breakdown
The Blue Devils started strong, trading baskets early with the Violets. Sorensen put Stout on the board first, and the game remained close in the opening minutes. However, NYU's smothering defense and transition game quickly took over. The Violets closed the first quarter on a run, taking a 22-13 lead.
The second quarter proved to be the turning point. NYU outscored UW-Stout 19-7 in the period, stretching their advantage to 41-20 at halftime. The Blue Devils struggled to get clean looks against the defensive pressure, shooting just 21.4% (3-of-14) from the field in the quarter and failing to connect on any of their 3-point attempts.
UW-Stout fought back in the third, with Sorensen continuing to lead the charge. The Blue Devils outscored NYU 16-14 in the period, cutting the deficit to as few as 17 points, but the Violets quickly answered each run.
NYU sealed the victory in the fourth, matching Stout point-for-point to maintain their lead and secure a spot in the national championship game.
Senior Class Leaves Its Mark
While the loss was tough, the season was one for the record books. Under head coach Hannah Iverson, UW-Stout (23-8) reached the Final Four for the first time in program history and set a new standard for success.
The Blue Devils will say goodbye to a decorated senior class that includes Raegan Sorensen, Amanda Giesen, Anna Mutch, Sam Schaeffer, Lexi Wagner, Allison Letcher, and Elissa Lodermeier. This group helped propel Stout to unprecedented heights and will leave behind a legacy of excellence.
Looking Ahead
Though the season ends in defeat, the Blue Devils' remarkable journey to the Final Four will be remembered as a defining moment in program history. This year's squad shattered expectations, battled against the nation's best, and cemented UW-Stout as a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.
