PLATTEVILLE (February 15, 2014) - UW-Stout almost recovered from a nearly eight minute dry spell in the second half, but couldn't quite bounce back in a 55-48 loss at UW-Platteville, Saturday on Bo Ryan Court.

The Blue Devils (12-11, 7-7 WIAC) did not hit a field goal after Jimmy Whitehead (Sr, Onalaska) drilled a jumper at 16:59 of the second half until Aaron Jenny (Sr, Spicer, Minn) hit a layup at 8:45 of the stanza. The Pioneers (13-10, 9-6 WIAC) went on an 8-2 run during the spread to take a 40-32 lead where Stout hit two free throws.

Jenny pulled Stout to within 42-39 on a 3-pointer with 5:53 left and the Blue Devils would get as close as two points, 45-43, on a pair of Jimmy Whitehead free throws with 3:07 left, and again, about 30 seconds later on a Whitehead jumper.

A jumper by the Pioneers' Boston Johnson with 1:06 left stretched the lead to 50-46. The Pioneers made five free throws down the stretch to hold off Stout.

The Blue Devil defense held the Pioneers to their lowest point totals of the season and well under their average of 72.8 points per contest.

Stout's Jenny and the Pioneers' Jake Manning shared scoring honors with 18 points each. Whitehead added 13 for Stout and Johnson had 12 for Platteville. Stout shot 42.9 percent (18-42) from the floor, while the Pioneers shot 43.6 percent (17-39) from the floor. Stout shot 10-of-18 free throws, the Pioneers 15-of-22. The rebound game was basically even, with Platteville holding a 26-25 lead.

UW-Superior was knocked out of the conference tournament race with a 73-62 loss to UW-La Crosse, assuring Stout of a spot in the tournament. The Blue Devils could finish as high as the third seed or as low as the sixth seed. UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater have the top two seeds.

Stout will be at UW-La Crosse, Wednesday, Feb. 19, then will finish the regular season by traveling to top ranked UW-Stevens Point, Saturday, Feb. 22.