UW-Stout played their final non-conference game of the season, and came up just short to Cardinal Stritch University, an 80-77 contest Saturday on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse.

While the Blue Devils (6-5) led early in the contest, Cardinal Stritch (10-5) held a 42-35 halftime lead. The Blue Devils rebounded coming out of the locker room and took a one point, 48-47, lead six minutes into the second half by running off a 13-5 run, capped off by John Keefe's bucket for what would prove to be a short lived lead. The Wolves captured the lead back on their next possession and never trailed again, building up a double-digit lead.

But Stout cut into that lead and got as close to two points twice in the last 30 seconds of the contest. Jon Ciriacks got Stout to within 79-77 with six seconds left. After the Wolves made one of two free throws, Keefe's 3-pointer at the buzzer just missed.

Ciriacks led Stout with 20 points. Keefe finished with 17, Zach Dahl 14 and D'Marcco Patrick 10.

The Wolves' Connor Lemmons led all scorers with 22 points. Nico Travica recorded a double-double with 15 points and 19 rebounds. Frederick Benzon added 15 points and Nemanja Knezevic had 10. The Wolves out-rebounded Stout 43-34 and recorded eight blocked shots.

The Blue Devils open conference play under first-year coach Jim Lake Wednesday, Jan. 2 when they travel to UW-La Crosse for a 7 p.m. contest. The Blue Devils will host sixth-ranked UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Jan. 5 at 3 p.m.