APPLETON – Tyler Tillema tallied a game-high 18 points to lead four Pointers scoring in double figures as the defending National Champion UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team defeated Lawrence University 79-59 at Alexander Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
The Pointers opened the game on an 8-0 run and quickly jumped in front by 11, 18-7, midway through the opening half. UWSP continued to build on their lead and took a 19 point lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Pointers pushed their lead to 23 before Lawrence began to battle back, cutting the deficit to single digits, 62-53, with 4:41 remaining.
The Pointers responded by closing out the game on 17-6 run to put the game away, cruising to the 20 point victory.
Tyler Tillema shot 2-for-3 from beyond the three-point arc and connected on 4-of-5 free throw attempts on his way to a career-high 18. Jerrel Harris and Louis Hurd chipped in 17 points each while Dan Tillema added 11. Scott Hoelzel led the way on the glass, collecting 13 rebounds, 11 defensive, in the winning effort.
Tyler Crisman led the Vikings with 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting and Conor Klusendorf had a team-high 10 rebounds on the evening in the loss.
UW-Stevens Point (1-0) returns home to open Bennett Court at Quandt Fieldhouse on Saturday, Nov. 20 when they host St. John's (MN) in a 3 p.m. non-conference tilt.