WHITEWATER (February 21, 2013) - What looked like a blowout, turned out to be a nailbiter, but UW-Stout's comeback fell just short as UW-Whitewater hung on for a 64-59 win a WIAC tournament semifinal game Thursday at Kachel Gym.

The Blue Devils (20-7) fell into a 10-0 hole to start off and had to work continually throughout the contest to dig their way out. As late as midway through the second half, the Warhawks (22-4) held an 11-point, 47-36 lead.

A three-point play by Erik Olson (Sr, Buffalo, Minn), a 3-point bucket by Jarvis Ragland (Jr, Milwaukee), and a dunk by Jay Higgins (Jr, Maple Grove, Minn) added up to an 8-0 run to pull Stout to within 47-44.

The third seeded Blue Devils tied the game twice in the final five minutes as Chris Hortman (Sr, Milwaukee) began to find his range. Hortman hit a jumper with 4:21 left to tie the score at 51-51, then tied it again at 53-53 at 3:43 on a layup.

The game stayed within five points the rest of the way as Stout continually played catch-up. Hortman, who would finish with a game-high 15 points, pulled Stout to within one point, 58-57, with a pair of free throws with 53 points left. The Warhawks' Darnell Harris buried a 3-pointer with 24 second remaining for a four point, 61-57, Whitewater lead and Stout was forced to foul.

Whitewater, the second seed in the tournament and the defending national champion, jumped out to a 10-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game. The Warhawks held a double-digit lead for much of the contest until Stout went off on their 8-0 run to pull to within three points midway through the second half.

Stout had three players score in double digits, led by Hortman, who scored 11 points in the second half. Alex Oman (Jr, Lake Elmo, Minn) finished with 14 points and Josh Kosloske (Jr, Oakfield) threw down 10 points. Kosloske had a game-high eight rebounds and Hortman and Oman each recorded seven.

For the Warhawks, Luke Knoble matched Hortman with 15 points. Harris finished with 14 points and Quardell Young and Eric Bryson each scored 13 points. Harris and Bryson each had six rebounds.

The Warhawks will host UW-Platteville, Saturday, Feb. 23. The fifth seeded Pioneers upset top-seeded UW-Stevens Point, 60-56, in Stevens Point.

The Blue Devils will have to wait to hear if they receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Selections are expected to announced Monday, Feb. 25 at 11:30 a.m.