Box Score
STEVENS POINT - The Pointers used a 13-0 run to close out the first half and carried that momentum throughout the second half, defeating the Johnnies of Saint Johns's 78-51 in their home opener.
After Saint John's hit a jumper to go up 21-20 with 5:24 left to play in the first half, the Pointers put up 13 unanswered points, starting with a layup by Jerrel Harris (Milwaukee/Dominican) to take the lead into the break.
Dan Tillema (Randolph, WI/Randolph/Minnesota-Duluth) closed out the run with two straight three pointers, giving him eight points heading into the half with a 33-21 lead.
The Pointers then opened up the second half on a 7-0 run, led by a three point field goal from Louis Hurd (Portage/Portage) to take a 40-21 lead with 17:52 to play. The Johnnies would get no closer than 15 points the rest of the way. Hurd finished the game with eight points and six rebounds.
Harris led a balanced Pointer attack with 14 points as four players finished in double figures. Also putting up double digit points for the Pointers was Dan Tillema (Randolph, WI/Randolph/Minnesota-Duluth) (12), Tyler Tillema (Randolph, WI/Randolph) (11), and Scott Hoelzel (Kaukauna/Kaukauna) (11).
The Pointer bench was very solid on the day they outscored the Johnnies bench 28-14.
Harris also led the Pointers with six assists and was one of three players to record two steals on the afternoon. All in all the Pointers had 18 assists on the day as they shot 56 percent from the floor and 48 percent from three.
The Pointer defense was also very strong as they forced 19 turnovers on the day. The Pointers dominated the Johnnies in the points off turnover category, as they scored 24 points off turnovers compared to Saint John's 12.
The Johnnies were led by guard Sam Blank who finished the game with 15 points and was the only Saint John's player in double figures.
The Pointers will return to action next Saturday, November 27th when they host Edgewood College at Bennett Court. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
