Stevens Point surges early, runs past UW-Superior

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Facing the UW-Stevens Point Pointers in the friendly confines of Quandt Fieldhouse has always proven to be a challenge for visiting teams.

And the UW-Superior men's basketball team found out why Saturday afternoon.

The Pointers shot 56.4 percent from the field, including connecting on 10-of-19 from three-point range, on the way to posting an 82-55 win over the Yellowjackets.

UW-Superior (8-12 overall, 4-7 WIAC) stayed close in the early going, getting a layup from Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) and a three-point shot from Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) to even matters 5-5 with 17:59 left in the opening half.

The Pointers (18-2, 11-0) responded by scoring the next eight points behind two baskets each from Clayton Heuer and DeVon Jackson to take a 13-5 lead at the 13:18 mark they would never relinquish.

UW-Superior cut the deficit to 21-15 on a driving layup by Davis with 7:45 showing on the clock before a 10-2 UW-Stevens Point run over the final 5:18 resulted in a 39-23 halftime cushion following Joe Ritchay's short jumper at the 1:08 mark.

The Yellowjackets made an early push in the second half, getting six quick points from Byrne and a three-pointer from Johnquez Brooks (Las Vegas, Nev.) to come to within 45-34 with 16:31 left in regulation.

But the Pointers again pulled away, taking a 64-42 lead on a three-pointer by Heuer with 8:54 remaining in regulation.

The Yellowjackets never got closer than 17 points the rest of the way.

Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton) led the Yellowjackets with 16 points while Byrne added 10 points.

Jordan Giordana paced the Pointers with a game-high 20 points. Jackson added 13 points while Heuer had 11 points and Sean McGann 10 for UW-Stevens Point.

The Yellowjackets will face UW-Stout at Johnson Fieldhouse in Menomonie on Wednesday. The opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.