MILWAUKEE, Wis. – A six-point halftime lead evaporated as the UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team (6-4) fell, 73-64, at MSOE (5-3) in non-conference action on Wednesday.
 
Zach Mootz (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) led the Pointers with 21 points, his second 20-point outing of the season. AJ Makinen (Waterford, Wis./Muskego) was also in double figures with 16. Brennan Timm (West Bend, Wis./West) led UWSP with seven rebounds.
 
Makinen and Timm gave the Pointers a quick 4-0 lead. Makinen and Myles Coleman (Milwaukee, Wis./Brookfield Central) each buried a three to put UWSP in front, 10-3. Midway through the first half, Ryan Genrich (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) halted an 11-0 run by the Raiders with a bucket.
 
Mootz nailed his first of four threes as UWSP began to dig out a two-possession hole. The Pointers' long-range game heated up with Buchanan, Mootz twice and Timm hitting from behind the arc for a 39-33 lead at the break.
 
Makinen had four early points and Mootz's final three of the game pushed UWSP's lead to nine, 48-39. Josiah Gillie (Milwaukee, Wis./West Allis) had four points as the game was tied 56-all at the midpoint of the second half.
 
Mootz made a pair of buckets and Makinen drilled a three, but UWSP was held scoreless from the field the final 3:53 of the game.
 
The Pointers entertain UW-Superior on Saturday (Dec. 17) at Bennett Court at Quandt Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.