POINTERS SURVIVE TOURNEY OPENER

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point men's basketball team came up big in its first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance Thursday night.

The Pointers took charge in the final 10 minutes to whip Pomona-Pitzer College, 68-58, in a West Regional opening-round game.

"We love LA," said coach Jack Bennett after watching his team survive its first test in the suburban Los Angeles Area. "This was a great trip and I would say that even had we lost.

It was unbelievable the way these kids overcame so many things, including a long plane flight and a hostile environment."