When it comes to winning on the road in college basketball, getting off to good starts is often a vital component to any visiting team's plans.
Unfortunately for the UW-Superior men's basketball team, the exact opposite happened at Johnson Fieldhouse in Menomonie Wednesday night. And the Yellowjackets never fully recovered, falling behind 13-0 in the first 4:20 and only led twice the rest of the way in dropping a 92-78 decision to the Blue Devils.
The Yellowjackets were outscored 30-11 from the free throw line and were outrebounded 46-29 for the game in dropping to 8-13 overall and 4-8 in WIAC play.
UW-Stout improved to 16-4 overall and 8-3 in league action with the victory.
In the early going, six points from Alex Oman, four points from Jarvis Ragland along with a three-pointer from Erik Olson and staked the Blue Devils to a 13-0 lead with 15:40 left in the first half.
The Yellowjackets rallied back, getting a three-pointer from Johnquez Brooks (North Las Vegas, Nev./Valley) and a layup from Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) to cut the deficit to 22-20 with 8:19 remaining in the opening stanza.
Another layup by Byrne and a three-pointer by Jarrod Peterson (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) gave UW-Superior their first lead of the evening at 25-24 at the 6:40 mark of the first half.
The two teams traded the lead on the next two possessions, with a jumper by Brooks giving UW-Superior a 27-26 advantage with 5:47 showing on the clock.
But the Blue Devils responded by scoring the next 11 points to take a 37-27 lead after a layup by Chris Hortman at the 3:30 mark of the opening half.
A free throw by Aaron Jenny and a three from Ragland in the last 2:31 allowed UW-Stout to head into the locker-room holding a 41-31 edge at halftime.
Oman scored on a layup on the first possession of the second half to stretch the Blue Devil lead to 43-31 and UW-Stout continued to hold a double-digit advantage for the first 8:31 of the second half before an Austin Cahill jumper brought UW-Superior to within 57-49 with 11:29 left in regulation.
Two free throws from Brooks with 8:05 remaining cut the Blue Devils lead to 63-57.
Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) also connected on a three-pointer to bring the Yellowjackets to within 77-72 in the final 2:28 of regulation.
The Yellowjackets got no closer down the stretch however as UW-Stout connected on 12 straight free throws in the final 2:16 to pull away for the win.
UW-Superior was led by Brooks and Peterson, who each scored 18 points. Cahill added 16 points while Davis and Byrne each chipped in with 10 points.
The Blue Devils were led by Olson with a game-high 23 points. Oman added 23 points while Hortman had 19 points and Ragland 13 for UW-Stout.
UW-Superior returns home to face UW-Oshkosh at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. The game can be heard on tape delay on 91.3 FM KUWS starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Matt Johnson will have the call.