CHICAGO, Ill (November 25, 2018) - UW-Stout overcame a slow start and went on to win their sixth straight contest to open the season with a 64-59 victory over Berea College in the championship game of the North Park University Tournament Sunday.

Berea (3-2) jumped all over the Blue Devils (6-0) in the first quarter, taking a 22-8 lead by the end of the quarter. But Stout put the game on its head in the second period, outscoring the Mountaineers 25-7 to take a 33-29 halftime lead, as Kyncaide Diedrich, Amber Fabeck and Bailey Diersen scored 23 of Stout's 25 points. Diedrich and Fabeck each tossed in eight points and Diersen seven in the quarter.

The Mountaineers came back in the third period to pull to within 51-50 at the end of the third quarter, but Diedrich, Diersen and Fabeck did the heavy lifting in the final quarter, scoring all of Stout's fourth quarter points, with Diedrich scoring five points and Diersen and Fabeck four points.

Both teams had three players score in double digits.

Diersen led all scorers with a season-high 22 points, including making all eight free throw attempts. Diedrich recorded a double-double, her second of the season, with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Fabeck tossed in 15 points, had eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Carolyn Feddema pulled down eight rebounds as Stout held a 40-22 advantage off the glass.

Bailee Vanover led Berea with 14 points. Nakeisha Greene had 13 points and Briana Lanham 11.

Both teams were impressive from the free throw line. The Blue Devils hit 15 of 17 free throws (88.2 percent), while the Mountaineers were10 of 11 (90.9 percent).

Diedrich was named the tournament most valuable player, scoring 19 points today and 21 points in the win over Albion College. Over the tournament, Diedrich recorded 17 rebounds, 11 assists and four steals. She was 14 of 37 from the floor, 5 of 13 from 3-point range and 7 of 7 from the free throw line. Fabeck joined Diedrich on the all-tournament team, scoring 34 points and pulling down 20 rebounds. 

The last time Stout started the season at 6-0 was during the 1997-98 season when the Blue Devils opened the year going 7-0. The 1995-96 team opened with nine straight wins. The most wins to open a season came during the 1992-93 year when Stout won their first 13 games. 

Stout is off until Monday, Dec. 3 when they open a three-game homestand by hosting Martin Luther College at 7 p.m. Stout hosts Crown College, Friday, Dec. 7 and Ripon College, Tuesday, Dec. 11.