MENOMONIE (December 21, 2018) - With two key players not suited up, UW-Stout found other ways to win in an 85-76 win over Northland College Friday, Dec. 21, on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse.

With the conference's leading scorer, John Keefe, and the Blue Devils' assists leader, Kyle Williams, out for the night, Stout (6-4) had to overcome some first half adversity to gut out a win over the pesky Lumberjacks. 

Northland (3-8) came out of the gates hot and popped a 3-pointer in the first 30 seconds of the contest to serve notice. The Lumberjacks would hit three 3-pointers in the first eight minutes of the game on their way to a 10-point, 18-10 lead at the 12:46 mark. 

Stout went into full court pressure and chipped away at the lead, pulling to with two points, 20-18, at 8:25, then tied the score at 24-24 with four minutes remaining. Benny Larry hit a layup to give Northland what would prove to be their final lead of the game as Stout closed out the first half on 13-2 run, capped off by Braden Walbeck's shot at the buzzer.

The Blue Devils carried the momentum into the second half, building a 15-point, 47-32 lead at 17:16. Stout held a 58-42 lead at 11:31 when the Lumberjacks got the lead under 10 points, going on a 12-4 run.  While Northland got as close as six points several times, Stout was able to keep a decent margin, making 14 of 17 free throws in the final two minutes of the game. 

Jon Ciriacks led Stout with a career-best 25 points, scoring 14 points in the second half. Luke Geigerscored a career-high 21 points, 16 in the second half. Both players were 8 of 8 from free throw range. Josh Mericle scored 10 points, one short of a career best. 

Stout shot 47.4 percent (27-57) from the floor, 42.9 percent (9-21) from 3-point range and 81.5 percent (9-21) from the line. The Blue Devils held a 46-27 advantage in rebounds, with Ciriacks getting nine boards and guard Zach Dahl eight.

The Lumberjacks had three players in double digits, led by Benny Larry with 31. Larry scored 22 points in the second half. Brandon Galland dropped in 15 points. Modesta Britten scored 14 points.  Northland shot 45.3 percent (29-64) from the floor, 30 percent (9-30) from 3-point range and 52.9 percent (9-17) from the line.

Stout is off for the Christmas holiday and return to action Saturday, Dec. 29 when they host NAIA opponent Cardinal Stritch University at 3 p.m.