MENOMONIE, Wis. (January 11, 2012) - UW-Stout fell into a deep first half deficit and was unable to dig themselves out as they fell to UW-Stevens Point, 71-56, Wednesday night at Johnson Fieldhouse.

Alex Oman (So, Lake Elmo, Minn.) scored a career-high 23 points in his best showing during his shortened season.  Oman shot 7-18 from the field, and a near-perfect 8-9 from the free throw line in 36 minutes of gametime.

The 15th-ranked Pointers (12-3, 5-1 WIAC) grabbed an early 27-13 lead after breaking off a 10-0 run midway through the first half.  The 14-point lead was their largest of the half and also their margin at the break.

After opening the second half with a 6-0 run, a combined 15-4 run between the two periods, Point held a 20 point lead.  Stout (5-10, 0-6 WIAC) battled back, however, and cut the lead to just eight midway through the period.  That was the closest they would get, though, as Stevens Point was clutch in stopping any Blue Devil runs.

Point's Tyler Tillema shot 6-9 from the field and 7-8 from the line to score 21 points.  Josh Kosloske (So, Oakfield) pulled down a game-high nine rebounds for the Blue Devils.

Stout's Steve Pax (So, Elmwood) left the game in the first half with an injured knee, adding yet another Blue Devil to their growing list of casualties.

Stout stays home this weekend to host UW-Oshkosh in a men's and women's doubleheader.  The men's game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and will follow the conclusion of the women's matchup, which starts at 4 p.m.