Sun 9 Dec-2001

Pointer men remain winless in WIAC with loss at Stout

MENOMONIE -- The UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team lost its second straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game of the 2001-02 season Saturday with a 72-61 loss against Stout.

The Pointers fall to 0-2 in the WIAC and 7-2 overall, while the Blue Devils improve to 5-4 overall and 2-1 in league play.

Freshman Nick Bennett was the leading scorer for UW-SP with 20 points while fellow underclassman Jason Kalsow hit all eight of his shots and finished with 16.

"We had some youngsters step it up tonight, but the veterans are going to have to pick it up," said UW-SP head coach Jack Bennett. "We've got to get more out of this team than just our freshmen."

Josh Iserloth -- the team's usual sure-fire scorer -- hit three out of 11 shots from the field and scored seven points.

UW-SP pulled to within a point at 60-59 with 2:16 left in the game, but was outscored 12-2 the rest of the way. Stout hit eight out of nine free throws during the run.

Leading by one at halftime, Stout took control of the game inside the paint during the second half. The Blue Devils outscored UW-SP 12-2 on second-chance points in the game, including a 7-0 advantage in the final 20 minutes.

On Friday, The Pointers were dealt a harsh blow when they learned Kalonji Kadima -- the team's starting shooting guard entering the season -- will require surgery on his left knee after injuring it in the team's 72-71 loss against Whitewater. The surgery is set for Monday and he is expected to miss the next two games.

UW-SP will look for its first win in the WIAC Wednesday when it hosts La Crosse. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Quandt Fieldhouse.

UW-Stevens Point 29 32 -- 61

UW-Stout 30 42 -- 72