WHITEWATER, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point football team (4-3, 1-3) threw a shutout defensively in the second half, but the performance was not enough to spark the offense to come back in a 24-2 loss to No. 2 UW-Whitewater on Saturday.  The Pointers' lone score came via a third quarter safety after a forced fumble was recovered by the Warhawks in their own end zone.

UWSP senior quarterback Kyle Larson (Clayton, WI/Clayton) completed 27 of his season-high 56 passing attempts.  Fellow senior Jared Pankow (Mosinee, WI/D.C. Everest) caught seven of those passes for a game-high 86 yards.

Defensively, freshman Griffen Davis (Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) recorded a team-high 11 tackles.  Sophomore Juleyan Givens (Bolingbrook, IL/Plainfield East) added nine and junior Tanner Beaman (Phelps, WI/Northland Pines) recorded the only sack for the Pointers, forcing the fumble that led to the safety.

The UWSP defense forced a three-and-out on the opening possession of the game.  Following the ensuing punt, the Pointers' offense moved the ball into Warhawks' territory before UWSP punter Alex Malueg (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) pinned the hosts at their own three, the first of five punts he dropped inside the 20 in the game.

The Warhawks marched down the field until the Pointers defense stood firm at their own five to force a field goal attempt.  The defensive stand paid off as the field goal attempt hit the upright and was no good.

Three plays later, the Warhawks picked off the first of three takeaways through the air on the day.  UW-Whitewater used the turnover to march 47 yards in six plays for the go-ahead touchdown late in the first quarter.

The Warhawks returned the third Malueg punt of the game for 24 yards to the Pointers 34 yard line.  Six plays later, the home team cashed in the second score of the game to take a 14-0 lead.

On the next offensive possession, UW-Whitewater methodically moved down the field before stalling at the Pointers' 29.  The Warhawks converted a field goal to up the advantage to 17-0.

Later in the second quarter, the Warhawks used a good mix of run and pass plays to find the end zone for the third time in the game.  The Pointers closed the half offensively with an eight-play, 47-yard drive, but were stopped on fourth down to send the game to break with the Warhawks up, 24-0.

UWSP's defense rose up in the third quarter.  The Pointers held the Warhawks to negative yardage in the third stanza and forced the fumble that led to the safety.

The Pointers first drive of the fourth quarter looked promising.  Larson completed seven-straight passes as UWSP moved the ball to the UWW 10.  But four-consecutive red zone incompletions ended the drive without anything points-wise to show for it.

After a missed field goal attempt by the Warhawks, the Pointers again strung together a solid drive.  Three lengthy completions by Larson put the Pointers back in the red zone, but the third pick of the day ended the UWSP drive.

The Pointers travel to UW-La Crosse next Saturday for 1:00 p.m. tilt against the Eagles.  UWSP returns home on November 5 for Senior Day against UW-Stout at 1:00 p.m. at Goerke Park.