Saturday, February 1, 2003

Pointers knock out Eau Claire
Central Wisconsin Sunday

STEVENS-POINT � Just like any good boxer, the University of Wisconsin �Stevens Point men�s basketball team showed that it had the ability to take the best shot of their opponents, and turn right around and deliver a knockout blow of their own.

After falling behind early, due to some hot shooting by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and their own difficulties in putting the ball in the basket, the Pointers rallied to take a one-point lead at halftime, and from there went on to an 82-73 victory at Quandt Fieldhouse Saturday night.

Trailing 19-11, the Pointers went on an 8-0 run with consecutive 3-point baskets by Nick Bennett and Kyle Grusczynski.  The two teams traded baskets for the most part the rest of the first half, shooting the ball well behind the 3-point line.  Eau Claire shot a sizzling 5-8 from behind the arc in the first half with the Pointers making 5 of their 9 three-point shots.

The two teams continued to stay close in the second half, and after two free throws by the Blugolds Jason Larson, the score was tied at 56 with just under nine minutes to play.  The Pointers then took control of the game as Grusczynski, who came off the bench to score 10 points, hit a 3-point shot from the corner and Jason Kalsow scored on a driving reverse lay-up to give the Pointers a five point lead that they would never relinquish.  UW-SP held the Blugold's off by making 13 of their last 14 free throws.

With the victory, the Pointers (17-2, 8-2) maintain their position atop the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association, while the Blugolds fall to 12-8 overall and 4-7 in the conference.

�They (Eau Claire) are a good team with some talented shooters, and they gave us one of their best games of the year,� said UW-SP head coach Jack Bennett.

Josh Iserloth led a total of five Pointers in double figures with 19 points, while Nick Bennett tossed in 18 points.