MANKATO, Minn (December 5, 2016) - UW-Stout held a seven point, 54-47 lead two minutes into the second half, but Bethany Lutheran College came back to tie the score at 16:25 of the second half, then went on a 17-4 run over the next five-and-a-half minutes on their way to a 98-87 over UW-Stout Monday.
 
The Vikings (3-3) held a 71-58 with 11:42 remaining and allowed the visiting Blue Devils only as close as five points a couple of times down the stretch.
 
The Vikings had five players in double figures, led by Brandyn Frelix's double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds. Neil Eichten added 24 points.
 
The Vikings made one more field goal from the floor and the teams were even in 3-pointers with 14 apiece. The free throw line proved to be much of the difference, with the home team making 18-of-21 while Stout was 9-of-14.
 
Bethany held a big 44-30 advantage off the glass. The Vikings had 34 defensive rebounds to Stout's 19.
 
Stout (4-2) also had five players in double figures, led by Sam Ortmann's (Jr, Buffalo, Minn) 16. John Keefe (Jr, Medford) contributed 13 points. Keegan Dickson (So, Apple Valley, Minn) added 12 points and Jacob Nordstrom (Sr, Melrose) and Cory Speer (Sr, Elgin, Minn) each finished with 10 points.
 
Stout shot 43.2 percent  (32-74) from the floor and the Vikings finished at 53.2 percent (33-62). Stout was 14-of-37 from beyond the arc, the Vikings 14-of-25.
 
Stout held a slight 47-45 halftime lead lead and took that to a seven point lead early in the second period before Bethany quickly chipped away at that lead, tied the game, then took the 13 point lead and went on to fend off any Blue Devil challenge.

The Blue Devils return to the road Wednesday, Dec. 7 when they travel to the University of Northwestern for a 7 p.m. contest.