Box Score

MEQUON – The UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team shot a blistering 64 percent from the floor in the game's opening half and knocked down eight three-pointers on their way to a 70-49 victory over St. Norbert College in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament at Concordia (Wis.). 

The Pointers were able to jump out to an early 15 point lead in the first half thanks to some excellent three-point shooting from both Louis Hurd and Jerrel Harris.  In a 3:19 stretch Hurd connected on 4-of-4 threes and Harris also connected on both of his three-point attempts.

Jordan Giordana gave Point a 22 point lead, their largest lead of the game, with a three-pointer.  UW-Stevens Point connected on 8-of-14 three-point baskets while the Green Knights went 1-for-5.

Stevens Point played excellent defense against St. Norbert holding them to just 30.8 percent shooting in the first half while the Pointers shot 61.5 percent from the field.  Point took a 40-26 lead into the break.

Hurd was the difference maker in the first half as he knocked down 8-of-9 shots from the field including 4-of-5 from three.  He finished the half with 20 points and five rebounds.

St. Norbert opened the second half on a 5-1 run to cut the game to nine points but that was the closest they came the rest of the way resulting in a 70-49 Pointers victory.

Point held St. Norbert to 31 percent shooting while the Pointers shot 42.9 percent and 54.3 for the game.

Harris led the way in the second half scoring nine of his total 15 points.  Hurd was the game's leading scorer with 22 and finished with a team-high six rebounds.  Giordana also scored in double figures with 12 on three-three pointers.

David Wipperfurth was the only Green Knight in double figures with 12 points and Steve Papke led the team in rebounds with nine and also added seven points of his own.

For the chance to face the Pointers, Concordia-Wisconsin squared off against Luther College in the second game of the first round.  Luther held a one point lead into the second half and halfway through the second half were able to push their margin to five. 

Luther sealed the victory with four free throws in the final minute to knock off host Concordia-Wisconsin 68-61.

UW-Stevens Point (24-3) extended their season-high thirteen game winning streak and will face Luther in the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.  Game tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.