MENOMONIE (January 30, 2013) - Erik Olson (Sr, Buffalo, Minn.) has been leading UW-Stout's offense all season with his direction from the point guard position. Tonight, he did it with his scoring as well.
Olson recorded a career-high 23 points in addition to eight assists and six rebounds as Stout defeated UW-Superior, 92-78, Wednesday night at Johnson Fieldhouse.
Olson shot 6-of-11 from the floor, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. He also connected on all eight of his free throw attempts, six of which came in the game's final four minutes to help hold off the Yellowjackets (8-13, 4-8 WIAC).
To begin the game, Stout (16-4, 8-3 WIAC) went on a 13-0 run in the first five minutes. Olson hit a three pointer early and Alex Oman (Jr, Lake Elmo, Minn.), who finished with 22 points, tossed in six points during the five-minute stretch. The Blue Devils' defense forced Superior into three turnovers during the run, and caused them to miss their first four shots.
But the Yellowjackets battled back, and an 11-2 run midway through the period gave them their first lead of the game, a 25-24 margin following a Jarrod Peterson three pointer. Stout answered right back, however, with a 13-2 run of their own, resulting in a 10-point lead they were able to take into halftime. Chris Hortman (Sr, Milwaukee) led all players with 12 points and four rebounds at the break.
The second half was a shootout, as both teams shot 45 percent from the field, and both shot at least 53 percent from three point land. Stout increased their 10-point halftime lead to 14 points, two mintues into the half, but Superior was able to whittle it down to six with eight minutes to play.
Olson hit a three followed shortly by two free throws to put the lead back at 11, but again Superior shot their way back into the game. A jumper and a three-pointer by Peterson on back-to-back possessions cut their deficit to six, and Brendan Bauer hit a jumper to make it a four-point game with five minutes to play. That, however, would be as close as the 'Jackets would get.
Stout used efficient possessions and free throws to seal the game. In the final three minutes, the Blue Devils shot 14-of-15 from the free throw line and missed just one shot from the field.
The 98 second-half points, combined, were the most in a single half this season, and were more than Stout and Ashford combined for in the entire game this past Saturday (60-35). Stout's total of 92 points was their highest of the season, and Superior's 78 was the highest total allowed by Stout all year.
Stout will stay at home this weekend as they welcome UW-Platteville into Johnson Fieldhouse for a 4 p.m. matchup, Saturday, Feb. 2.