Box Score

 THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – California Lutheran took its only lead with 36 seconds left in overtime to defeat the third-ranked UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team by a final score of 72-70 tonight at Gilbert Arena.

 The Pointers fall to a record of 9-2 overall, while California Lutheran improves to 8-1 overall. Tonight's matchup was the first between the two schools.

 Stevens Point jumped out to a 7-2 lead on the Kingsmen. Jerome Wotachek (Mishicot/Mishicot) (Jr.-Mishicot) scored four of the first seven points. The Pointers went on a 7-0 run at the 12-minute mark to extend their lead to 21-8. Evan Sweeney (Appleton/West) (So.-Appleton/West) then hit a three-pointer with 4:51 left in the first half to give the Pointers their largest lead of the game of 30-13. The score at the half would be 37-22 Stevens Point.

 The Pointers shot 52 % in the first half, while the Kingsmen shot just 27 %. Cal. Lutheran had a 22-16 edge on the glass in the first half.

 Pete Rortvedt (Minocqua/Lakeland) (Jr.-Minocqua/Lakeland) hit a three-pointer early in the second half to give the Pointers a 16-point lead. Stevens Point's lead remained in double-digits for the first part of the second half as the Pointers were up 15 with 10:41 left in the game.

 The Kingsmen then went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to six with eight minutes left. The Pointers extended their lead back to nine with 5:22 remaining. Cal. Lutheran then went on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 62-59 with 3:30 left. Steve Hicklin (Sussex/Hamilton) (Sr.-Sussex/Hamilton) then hit a layup with 2:13 left to give the Pointers a 66-61 lead. However, that would be the final points Stevens Point would score in regulation. With the Kingsmen down three, Deshion Innis drained a 25-foot three-pointer to tie the contest at 66-66. The Pointers missed a jumper at the buzzer as the game went to overtime.

 In overtime, Louis Hurd (Portage/Portage) (Fr.-Portage) scored the first points to make the score 68-66. After Cal. Lutheran tied it up, Jerome Wotachek (Mishicot/Mishicot) gave the Pointers a 70-68 lead with 2:34 on the clock. A pair of free throws tied the game at 70 and the Kingsmen took their first lead when Innis hit a layup with 36 seconds left to make the score 72-70. The Pointers had a chance to win, but missed a three-pointer at the buzzer as the Kingsmen won 72-70.

 Stevens Point shot 48 % for the game, but only were 2-for-4 from the free throw line. Cal. Lutheran shot 42 % and was 18-for-24 from the free throw line. The Kingsmen outrebounded the Pointers 42-28.

 Louis Hurd (Portage/Portage) led the Pointers with 14 points off the bench. Jerome Wotachek (Mishicot/Mishicot) was the only other Pointer in double-figures with 12 points. He also had a team-high seven rebounds. Mychal Owens scored a game-high 21 points for the Kingsmen.

 The Pointers return home and to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) action when it hosts UW-Oshkosh Saturday at Quandt Fieldhouse. The tip-off will be at approximately 5 p.m. following the women's game.