Box Score

ST. PAUL – The UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team saw its season come to an end tonight as it fell to Buena Vista University 54-53 in the second round of the NCAA Division III Basketball Tournament at the University of St. Thomas.

This is the second time that the Pointers will not make a Sweet 16 appearance in its seven appearances and the first time since the 2002-03 season. Buena Vista moves on to face Washington University (Mo.) in the NCAA Sectional Semifinals. The Beavers advance to the Sweet 16 for the third time in school history.

The Pointers started out much better tonight than in their first round game against Chicago as they opened up with a 5-0 lead. The lead grew to 14-4 after a Ross Rortvedt (Minocqua/Lakeland) (So.-Minocqua/Lakeland) three-pointer with less than 12 minutes left in the first half. The Stevens Point lead remained above five until the last four minutes of the first half. The Beavers went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to one with a minute left, but a Louis Hurd (Portage/Portage) (Fr.-Portage) layup gave the Pointers a 27-24 lead at the break.

Stevens Point shot just 31 % in the first half and was 4-for-16 beyond the three-point line. The Beavers shot 39 % in the half.

The Beavers took their first lead of the game on a three-pointer two minutes into the second half. There would be four ties and three lead changes over the next seven minutes. Buena Vista then went on a 6-0 run to take a five-point lead with 10 minutes left in the game.

Stevens Point cut the lead back to one with seven minutes left, but Beavers responded and got the lead back to six with 3:33 left in the game. Khalifa El-Amin (Milwaukee/Rufus King) (Jr.-Milwaukee/Rufus King) then drained a three-pointer with a 1:21 left to cut the margin to three. With under a minute left, it appeared that El-Amin connected on another three to tie the game, but the shot was ruled a two and the Pointers trailed 54-53. Buena Vista secured a big offensive rebound with nine seconds left. The Beavers then missed a free throw with two seconds left and the Pointers grabbed the rebound and called timeout. The Pointers heaved a pass that was deflected and the time ran out as the Beavers prevailed 54-53.

The 53 points were the lowest scored this season by the Pointers. The Beavers were also held to their lowest margin of the year. Stevens Point shot 38 % in the second half to finish at 34 % for the game. The Pointers were 8-for-30 on three-point attempts. The Pointers were 3-for-4 from the free throw line, while Buena Vista was 11-for-16. The Beavers shot 40 % for the game.

Ross Rortvedt (Minocqua/Lakeland) led the Pointers with 12 points. Khalifa El-Amin (Milwaukee/Rufus King) and Steve Hicklin (Sussex/Hamilton) (Sr.-Sussex/Hamilton) each added 11 points. Matt Moses (Fond du Lac/St. Mary Springs) (So.-Fond du Lac/St. Mary Springs) led the Pointers with nine rebounds. Matt Cleveland had 13 points to lead the Beavers.

Stevens Point's season ends with a record of 23-7. The Pointers say goodbye to one senior in Steve Hicklin (Sussex/Hamilton). Hicklin was a two-time first team All-WIAC performer and finished his career with 1,172 points, 18th most in school history. Everyone else is eligible to return next season.

Be sure to check the Pointers Athletics web site with future men's basketball news.