Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Pointers get back on winning track, beat Stout
Stevens Point Journal

MENOMONIE - Perhaps a bye week provided just the rest the Pointers needed as the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point men's basketball team routed UW-Stout 80-59 on Wednesday.

The Pointers (16-2, 7-2 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) slid back into sole possession of first place in the league after UW-Whitewater lost.

UW-SP swept the season series from Stout (12-6, 7-3).

"I am on Cloud Nine," Pointers coach Jack Bennett said. "In my six and a half seasons here, this ... is one of the sweetest wins, going into a hostile environment."

The Pointers built a 39-31 halftime lead, then opened the second half with a 22-8 run over the first 9:00 minutes to forge a 22 point lead.  The lead grew to 30 points in large part due to Stevens Point's stifling defense.  The Pointers held the Blue Devils to just two field goals in the first 16 minutes of the second half.  UW-Stout finished the half just 6-36 from the field for 16.7% shooting.

The Pointers got 27 points from Nick Bennett, who went 7-of-9 from the floor and a sizzling 5-of-6 from the 3-point line.

Kyle Grusczynski came off the bench to contribute a season-high 15 points.

"Kyle was our trump card," Jack Bennett said. "He hit some big shots and played defense well."

UW-SP hosts UW-Eau Claire on Saturday. The 7 p.m. tip-off will be preceded by a 5 p.m. contest between the schools' alumni.