MEQUON - Louis Hurd and Jerrel Harris scored 18 and 17 points, respectively, as the UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team advanced to their second consecutive NCAA Division III Sweet 16 as they knocked off the Norse of Luther College 76-56 at John Buuck Field House Saturday evening.

The Norse was able to stick with the Pointers for the first five minutes as they tied the game at four with a jumper by Tim Merritt. Then the Pointers defense stepped up.

Over the next 9:13 the Pointers were able to go on a 22-0 run to build their lead to 26-4. 

A layup by Hurd gave UW-Stevens Point a 22 point lead, their largest of the half. The Pointers took a 34-15 advantage into the half.

Hurd highlighted the scoring in the first half with eight points on 3-of-6 shooting while the team shot 46.2 percent.

Luther College came out in the second half and was able to slightly chip away at the deficit when they cut the game to a 12 point lead by Dane Larson.

The Pointers were able to push the game to 22 once again with 12:46 remaining and the Norse were only able to bring the score to fewer than 20 points one more time. 

Tyler Tillema's pushed the game to 26, their largest of the game and the Pointers were able to come away with a 76-56 victory.

Along with Harris and Hurd's 18 and 17 points, Jordan Brezinskialso scored in double figures with 12 and Vinny Ritchay chipped in with 11, connecting on 3-of-3 three-point shots. Hurd also had a team-high seven rebounds and Nick Krull added six.

Larson was the leading scorer for the Norse with 17 and Tyler Wedemeier scored 13.

UW-Stevens Point (25-3) will play St. Thomas University and try to avenge an early season matchup. The site will be determined on Monday.