SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team (8-5) had three players in double figures, but trailed from the opening tip in an 84-63 loss to host Trinity (7-4) in the Leslie Robinson Christmas Classic finale.
 
Freshman Luke Warden (Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy) got his first career start and posted a career-best 11 points in 27 minutes. Jake Buchanan (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) again led UWSP in scoring with 13 points. Brennan Timm (West Bend, Wis./West) was also in double figures with 11.
 
Ryan Peterson (Eagle River, Wis./Northland Pines) scored UWSP's first points, but UWSP was already in a 12-2 hole less than three minutes in. Buchanan hit his first three-pointer as the Pointers deficit hit 17 midway through the first half, 26-9.
 
Warden scored on back-to-back possessions and Buchanan hit another three, but the Tigers burst in front 50-23 at the half.
 
Warden put up UWSP's first four points, but Trinity pushed the lead to 32 early in the second half. Ryan Genrich (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) buried a three and notched all seven of his points within a minute in a 14-2 run as UWSP got within 20.
 
Buchanan and AJ Makinen (Waterford, Wis./Muskego) each hit a three down the stretch, but UWSP could only get within 19 late.
 
The Pointers return to action and league play with a home matchup against UW-Whitewater on Jan. 4. Tip-off at Bennett Court at Quandt Fieldhouse is slated for 7:00 p.m.