WHITEWATER, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team (10-11, 3-7) was victimized by a pair of big runs in the first half as host UW-Whitewater (15-6, 6-4) pulled away early for an 86-66 win.
 
Josiah Gillie (Milwaukee, Wis./West Allis) tied his career-high with 16 points to lead three Pointers in double figures. He also had a team-best seven rebounds, four on the offensive glass.
 
Brennan Timm (West Bend, Wis./West) and Jake Buchanan (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) were also in double figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
 
A pair of free throws by Timm gave UWSP its lone lead at 4-3 less than two minutes into the game. Zach Mootz (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) hit a jumper to get UWSP within 8-6, but the deficit quickly ballooned as the Warhawks scored the next eight points. A three by AJ Makinen (Waterford, Wis./Muskego) helped the Pointers keep the deficit in single digits until the midpoint of the half.
 
A 10-0 run by UWW put the deficit at 31-13 before the Pointers put up a quick seven-point burst capped by a Landon VanCalster (Freedom, Wis./Freedom) three. The Warhawks pushed back with nine straight before a Makinen three disrupted the run as UWSP trailed 43-23 at the break.
 
Buchanan buried a triple to begin the second half and then Gillie got to work. He scored 10 of the next 12 UWSP points, but the deficit remained solidly in double figures. 
 
Timm added 10 points down the stretch, but the Pointers could only get as close as 10, before UWW pushed the deficit back to 20 by the final buzzer.
 
UWSP will travel to UW-La Crosse on Saturday (Feb. 4). Tip-off at Mitchell Hall is set for 5:00 p.m.