STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The 11th-ranked UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team was handed its second conference loss this season as the UW-River Falls Falcons handed the Pointers an 82-75 overtime loss Saturday afternoon on Bennett Court.
#Jordan Giordana# put the Pointers on the board with two quick three-pointers for an early 6-0 advantage.
The Falcons then went on a 14-2 run, capped off by a Taylor Peterson, jumper giving UWRF a 14-8 lead with just under 10 minutes to go in the half.
UWSP quickly erased the deficit with a 20-6 run and with 4:25 remaining in the first half held a 28-20 advantage. UWRF was able to close the gap to three, 28-25, heading into the break.
The second half was much tighter as the score was tied nine times and the lead changed eight. Neither team was able to gain more than a six point advantage throughout the half.
#Trevor Hass# gave UWSP a three point lead with 1:50 remaining but could not convert another field goal the rest of the way.
Ollie White tied the game at 68-68 with 34 seconds left but the Pointers were unable to get a shot off, turning the ball over in the final seconds. UWRF had an opportunity for a last second shoot but Shane Manor's three-pointer fell short sending the game into overtime.
Overtime was all in favor of UWRF as it outscored UWSP 14-7 in the final period as the Falcons converted 10-of-13 free-throws for an 82-75 victory.
#Tyler Tillema# led the Pointers with 22 points, five assists and career-high five steals. Hass and #Dan Tillema# also scored in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively. For the second consecutive game #Jordan Brezinski# set a career-high in rebounds with 15, 11 coming in the first half.
Manor led all scorers with 26 points, converting 14-of-15 free-throws, while pulling down nine rebounds. Wade Guerin helped with 13 points off the bench while Brian Kimble added 12.
UWSP struggled from the field as it shot just 40.6 percent from the floor compared to 49.1 percent from UWRF. The Falcons also held a 40-28 advantage in the points in the paint battle.
UW-Stevens Point (17-4, 7-2 WIAC) returns to action on Wednesday at it travels to Whitewater to face the top-ranked Warhawks in conference play. Game time is set for 7 p.m.