UW-SP hits 15 three-pointers in 83-62 defeat of Carroll

By JESSE HORNE
Stevens Point Journal

The UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team had only one number on mind Wednesday against Carroll College -- three, as in three-pointers.

The Pointers hit 15 shots from beyond the arc and cashed in for a 83-62 victory against the Pioneers to remain undefeated at 6-0 this season.

"It's all about taking what the defense gives you," said UW-SP head coach Jack Bennett. "Carroll gambled so much all over the floor that there were times we would move the ball and it just ended up in the hands of people who could make the shots. I've told them that if they have the confidence in a shot, to just take it."

Nine players hit three-pointers for UW-SP with Josh Iserloth and Kalonji Kadima nailing three each. Iserloth finished as the game's leading scorer with 21 points while Kadima had 18 and a team-high four steals.

Tony Smith was the prime offensive weapon for Carroll (0-3) with 17 points.

One statistic which pleased Bennett was 26 assists made by the Pointers, compared to just 10 for Carroll. Guard Neal Krajnik led the team with five passes for points.

"We've got guys who are willing to make the extra pass and get the ball in the right spot," said Bennett. "The teams that I've always enjoyed the most are the ones that are that selfless with the ball."

The road gets tougher for the Pointers beginning with the first of two encounters with University of St. Francis Saturday in Joliet, Ill.

The Pointers' play their first WIAC game of the season against Whitewater -- who shared the conference title with UW-SP last season -- Wednesday at Quandt Fieldhouse.

"The start of this year has been gratifying because we are a young ballclub," said Bennett. "We are going to go through some growing in the next couple months. But for us to get to this kind of a start, it gives us the confidence and it is going to get a lot tougher."

"I'd much rather be where I am now than at, say, 2-4 with a lot more questions than answers."