RIVER FALLS, Wis. – Senior Zach Mootz (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) led all scorers, but it wasn't enough as the UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team (8-8, 1-4) fell by a 70-60 final at UW-River Falls (8-8, 2-3).
 
Mootz scored 14 of his team-leading 18 points in the second half. AJ Makinen (Waterford, Wis./Muskego) with 11 and Josiah GIllie with 10 points were also in double figures for the Pointers.
 
Makinen hit a three to begin the game as UWSP jumped out to a 5-0 lead following a Brennan Timm (West Bend, Wis./West) basket. Makinen and Timm nailed triples on consecutive possessions to grow the lead to 13-7. Myles Coleman (Milwaukee, Wis./Brookfield Central) and Luke Warden (Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy) made field goals as UWSP pushed the lead to eight.
 
Warden scored again 8:46 before half to give UWSP a 10-point advantage, 23-13. Makinen buried a late three as UWSP held off the Falcons push and a basket near the buzzer by Mootz put the UWSP lead at 34-30 at halftime.
 
Mootz began the second half with two threes and the first eight UWSP points. Timm made it 48-40 with a bucket, but UWRF rattled off the next 12 points. Ryan Genrich (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) stalled the run with a basket before the Falcons scored the next five to take the lead for good.
 
Gillie and Mootz combined for UWSP's final 10 points as UWRF pulled away late.
 
The Pointers return home to face UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Jan. 14). Tipoff at Bennett Court at Quandt Fieldhouse is set for 7:00 p.m.