In a battle for first place in the WIAC, the Falcon men's basketball team lost an 86-70 decision at UW-Stevens Point on Saturday afternoon.
With the win the Pointers are now tied with the Falcons for first place – both teams have 12-2 records. Both teams have two WIAC games to play in the regular season.
The Falcons trailed, 41-33, at the half due to some hot shooting by UWSP. Jake Voeltz (River Falls, River Falls HS) led the Falcons in the first half with 14 points shooting 5-8 from the floor and 4-4 from the line. Shane Manor (Altoona, UW-Superior) scored seven points and led the team with four rebounds. UWRF shot 24-39 (.448) from the floor in the first 20 minutes. UWSP had the hot hand in the first half shooting 16-24 (.667) from the field. Jerrel Harris led the Pointers with 15 first half points.
The first five minutes of the first half was close. But UWSP went on a 13-4 run and had a 28-16 lead with 10:05 to play. The Falcons then drew to within three, 29-26, with 5:07 to go when Manor hit a jumper. But the Pointers outscored the Falcons, 12-7 over the last five minutes of the half to take the 41-33 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Falcons scored the first four points of the second half to get back to within four, 41-37. Then the Pointers went on an 8-0 run to take a 49-37 lead with 16:34 to go. UWRF could cut the lead to single digits just once more after that. With 14:49 to play Jontae Koonkaew (Apple Valley, MN, Apple Valley HS) hit a three to pull UWRF to within seven, 51-44. UWSP's biggest lead, 17 points, after that came with 2:47 to play, 76-59.
UWRF was led by Voeltz who finished with 24 points. Koonkaew scored 15 and led UWRF with five assists. Manor added 13 points and he led the team with six rebounds.
UWSP, 20-3 overall and 12-2 in the WIAC, was led by Harris who finished with 28 points and he had eight assists. Louis Herd scored 13 points and had eight rebounds.
UWRF, now 12-2 in the WIAC and 19-4 overall, will next play at La Crosse on Wednesday. That WIAC game starts at 7 p.m.
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