NORTHFIELD, Minn. – A 10-0 run by host St. Olaf to start the second half erased a five-point UW-Stevens Point halftime lead and the Oles outscored the Pointers 35-29 in the second half to hand the seventh-ranked UWSP men's basketball team its first loss of the season, 70-69, on Wednesday evening.

Box Score

The Pointers were in control for much of the game's opening half, taking the lead for good in the opening stanza off an Austin Ryf (Winneconne, WI/Winneconne) three-pointer just over two minutes into the game.

The Pointers continued to increase the lead, going in front by as many as 12 midway through the opening half, 31-19, with 7:24 remaining.

The Pointers held a five point edge, 40-35, heading into the halftime break.

A 10-0 run to start the second half flipped a five-point edge into a five-point deficit for UWSP, as St. Olaf took its largest lead of the night, 45-40.

The Pointers responded, retaking the lead, but could not extend the lead past three, 54-51.

St. Olaf used a 14-5 run late in the second half to build a six point edge, 65-59, but the Pointers chiseled way at the deficit and with 55 seconds left, Joe Ritchay (Wisconsin Rapids, WI/Lincoln) connected on a three-pointer from the corner to give the Pointers the one point edge, 68-67.

After a jumper by St. Olaf's Ben Figini with 27 seconds remaining gave the Oles the lead, Ritchay added a free throw with 10 second remaining, knotting the score at 69.

With just three seconds left on the clock, a foul off the ball sent the Oles to the line, where Justin Pahl hit one of two free throws to give St. Olaf a one-point edge.

A desperation three at the buzzer was off the mark, giving St. Olaf the one-point victory.

Ritchay led the way with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, while Stephen Pelkofer (Hales Corner, WI/Whitnall) added 19. Sean McGann (Baraboo, WI/Baraboo) chipped in with 13 off the bench and added a team-best five rebounds.

Three Oles scored in double figures, led by Ben Figini's 20.

UW-Stevens Point (1-1) now heads east to face Hope College on Saturday, Nov. 22 in Holland Mich. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the DeVoss Fieldhouse.