EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – In a game that featured 12 lead changes, all in the first half, it was the UW-Stevens Point men's basketball team (10-14, 3-10) that was on the wrong end of the last lead change in an 80-72 loss at UW-Eau Claire (15-9, 7-6).
 
The Pointers had four players in double figures with Myles Coleman (Milwaukee, Wis./Brookfield Central) and Jake Buchanan (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) both posting 11 points. AJ Makinen (Waterford, Wis./Muskego) and Brennan Timm (West Bend, Wis./West) both added 10 points.
 
Zach Mootz (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) nailed a three for UWSP first lead at 3-2. The teams alternated baskets until a three by Buchanan put the Pointers ahead by two at 10-8.
 
Makinen buried a three with 6:16 left in the first half for a 22-20 lead. Josiah Gillie (Milwaukee, Wis./West Allis) gave UWSP a four-point advantage with a layup as did Luke Warden (Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy) with 2:19 to go. But a 9-0 run by the Blugolds put UWSP behind 37-32 at the half.
 
Gillie scored the opening bucket of the second half, but the deficit was double digit five minutes in. Buchanan scored five straight to briefly get UWSP within single digits.
 
Just past the midpoint of the second half, threes by Ryan Genrich (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) and Makinen bookended an 8-0 run. Another push by UWSP with Timm and Buchanan combining for a 7-0 spurt made it 70-67. But the Pointers got no closer as the Blugolds pulled away for the win.
 
The Pointers return home for the season finale on Wednesday (Feb. 15). Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. against UW-Oshkosh.  Fans have a chance to win $500 in the halftime shootout.