Box Score
APPLETON – Tyler Tillema (Randolph, WI/Randolph) tallied a game-high 18 points to lead four Pointers scoring in double figures as the defending National Champion UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team defeated Lawrence University 79-59 at Alexander Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
The game was the season-opener for both teams.
The Pointers opened the game on an 8-0 run and quickly jumped in front by 11, 18-7, midway through the opening half. UWSP continued to build on their lead and took a 19 point lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Pointers pushed their lead to 23 before Lawrence began to battle back, cutting the deficit to single digits, 62-53, with 4:41 remaining.
The Pointers responded by closing out the game on 17-6 run to put the game away, cruising to the 20 point victory.
Tyler Tillema (Randolph, WI/Randolph) shot 2-for-3 from beyond the three-point arc and connected on 4-of-5 free throw attempts on his way to a career-high 18. Jerrel Harris (Milwaukee/Dominican) and Louis Hurd (Portage/Portage) chipped in 17 points each while Dan Tillema (Randolph, WI/Randolph/Minnesota-Duluth) added 11. Scott Hoelzel (Kaukauna/Kaukauna) led the way on the glass, collecting 13 rebounds, 11 defensive, in the winning effort.
Tyler Crisman led the Vikings with 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting and Conor Klusendorf had a team-high 10 rebounds on the evening in the loss.
UW-Stevens Point (1-0) returns home to open Bennett Court at Quandt Fieldhouse on Saturday, Nov. 20 when they host St. John's (MN) in a 3 p.m. non-conference tilt.
