MENOMONIE (November 27, 2021) - UW-Stout had five players in double figures as the Blue Devils defeated Alma College, 87-83, Saturday on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse.

Alma (1-5) overcame a 10 point, 30-20 deficit in the first half, ending the period on a 9-0 run to take a 38-36 halftime lead.

The Blue Devils (4-1) fell behind by as much as seven points, 47-40 at 17:11 in the second half but made a 9-0 run of their own to take a 49-47 lead. Stout only fell behind one more in the game, that coming at 5:18, 66-65. Armani Tinsley hit two free throws to put Stout up by one and Ciriacks drained a 3-pointer. The Scots' Cole Kleiver pulled Alma to within 70-68. Luke Geiger answered with a 3-pointer for a Stout five point lead, 73-68. Alma would only get as close as two points, but Stout would manage to answer back for the win.

Ciriacks hit four 3-pointers and led Stout with a season-high 20 points. Geiger finished with 18 points, Drew and Lovell Williams with 14 points and Tinsley had 12 points, 10 in the second half.

The Scots' Brandon Whiteside led all scorers with 22 points. Cole Kleiver contributed 21 and Brandon Rake had 13, 11 in the second half.

Stout shot 50 percent from the field (30-60) and put in nine 3-pointers. The Blue Devils were a 18 of 26 from the line. The Scots shot 52.3 percent (35-65) and matched Stout in 3 pointers with nine. Alma was 6 of 10 from the line. Stout out-rebounded Alma, 39-30, with Geiger grabbing a game-high seven rebounds.

Stout will open WIAC play this week when they host UW-River Falls, Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.