MENOMONIE, Wis. – UW-Stout men's basketball went shot-for-shot with rival UW-Eau Claire on Saturday evening at Johnson Fieldhouse, but a late step-back jumper lifted the Blugolds to a 68–66 win in a choppy, foul-filled WIAC contest.
The game featured 13 lead changes and nine ties, with neither team able to create separation for long stretches. Stout stayed within striking distance throughout despite a tough night at the free-throw line, finishing 13-of-24 (54.2%) in a game ultimately decided by two points.
AJ Uttech turned in a career-best performance off the bench, scoring a career-high 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting while constantly pressuring the rim. Uttech's ability to finish through contact was a key storyline in the second half, repeatedly generating scoring opportunities during critical stretches.
At the 11:24 mark of the second half, Uttech completed a three-point play after finishing through contact in the paint, pushing Stout in front 48–44. Just over two minutes later, Uttech came up with a steal at 13:31 and converted the fastbreak layup at 13:27, briefly swinging momentum back in the Blue Devils' favor.
The final five minutes featured a series of momentum swings. With 5:10 remaining, Domanyck Schwarzenberger knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game at 60–60. After multiple empty possessions and second-chance opportunities on both ends, Uttech drilled a clutch three at the 3:10 mark to give Stout a 63–62 lead.
A pivotal sequence followed with 30 seconds remaining. After an Eau Claire assistant coach was assessed a technical foul for shouting at officials and slamming a chair on the bench, Stout was awarded two technical free throws in addition to two from the ensuing foul. The Blue Devils converted three of the four attempts, tying the game at 66–66 with 30 seconds left.
Following a timeout, Eau Claire's Andre Renta created space and hit a step-back mid-range jumper with 10 seconds remaining to regain the lead. Stout got a decent look at a potential game-winning three on the final possession, but the shot hit the back iron as time expired.
By the Numbers
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25 – Career-high points by AJ Uttech
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13 – Lead changes
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9 – Ties
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54.2% – Stout free-throw shooting (13-of-24)
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35 – Bench points for UW-Stout
Up Next
UW-Stout remains home on Wednesday, hosting UW–Stevens Point at 7 p.m. in WIAC action.
