STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team (9-10, 2-6) staged comebacks in both halves, but came up short in a 66-63 loss to UW-Platteville (12-7, 5-3).
 
Zach Mootz (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) tied for the game-high with 22 points, the lone Pointer in double figures. Jake Buchanan (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) added nine and Brennan Timm (West Bend, Wis./West) scored eight. Ryan Genrich (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) had a team-high seven rebounds.
 
The Pointers fell behind 7-0 to begin the game before a three by Mootz got UWSP on the board. AJ Makinen (Waterford, Wis./Muskego) hit a triple and Mootz scored a layup as UWSP got within 15-10. A 12-4 run by the Pioneers put UWSP in a 27-14 hole with 8:06 left in the half.
 
Timm and Genrich combined for six points and Josiah Gillie (Milwaukee, Wis./West Allis) extended the run to 8-0 for the Pointers. Buchanan had four late points as UWSP was behind 36-30 at the break.
 
Makinen and Timm scored on consecutive possessions before an 8-0 run saw the Pointers trailing by double figures.
 
Mootz drilled a three as UWSP started to erase a 14-point deficit in the final nine minutes. Gillie scored and Myles Coleman (Milwaukee, Wis./Brookfield Central) converted a pair of free throws to get UWSP's deficit to single digits. Mootz added 12 points down the stretch, but UWSP couldn't find a potential game-tying shot in the final seconds.
 
The Pointers remain at home to host UW-Stout on Wednesday (Jan. 25). Tip off at Bennett Court at Quandt Fieldhouse is slated for 7:00 p.m.