ST. PETER, Minn (January 1, 2022) - UW-Stout faced a 19-point halftime deficit and got as close to nine points in the fourth quarter, but the Blue Devils lost their final non-conference game of the season, 69-53, at Gustavus Adolphus College on New Year's Day.

Stout (6-6) outscored the Gusties (7-2) 19-13 in the third quarter and cut the lead to 57-48 on Anna Mutch's basket and two free throws by Amanda Giesen with 8:47 left in the game. While Stout would hit 7 of 8 free throws in the final stanza, Mutch's field goal was Stout's last of the game Gustavus scored 12 points to Stout's nine in the last 10 minutes. 

Stout held a couple of two point leads early in the first quarter, but the Gusties held a 15-10 first quarter lead. Gustavus led 44-25 at halftime and 57-44 at the end of the third quarter.

Both teams had three players score in double digits with Mutch and Raegan Sorensen each scoring 13 for Stout and Giesen adding 12 points. The Gusties' Grace Benz led all scorers with 19 points. Syd Hauger had 17 points and Emma Kneifel 10. 

For the game, Stout shot 38.0 percent (19-50) from the field, 12.5 percent (1-8) from 3-point range and a school record 93.3 percent (14-15) from the free throw line, breaking the mark of .926 (25/27) against St. Scholastica in 2007. Giesen was 6 for 6 from the line. Sorensen was 3 for 3 and Mutch and Erin O'Brien both connected on their two free throw attempts.

Gustavus shot 54.9 percent (28-51) from the floor, 36.4 percent (4-11) from beyond the arc and 52.9 percent (9-17) from the line. 

The Gusties out-rebounded Stout 27-22, with Benz pulling down eight boards. Sorensen and Haylee Yaeger each had four rebounds. 

Stout last played on New Year's Day in 2014 when they defeated St. Joseph College, 60-57, at Colorado College.

The Blue Devils will stay on the road as they return to WIAC action, traveling to UW-La Crosse, Wednesday, Jan. 5. Stout will host UW-Platteville, Saturday, Jan. 8 at 3 p.m.