UWSP falls to top-ranked Whitman in Sweet 16

By John Kemmeter
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) men’s basketball team had its run this season come to an end with a loss in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament at Platteville Friday, March 9.

Facing full-court pressure, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) junior forward Canon O’Heron brings the ball across midcourt during the 17th-ranked Pointers’ 65-55 loss to top-ranked Whitman (Wash.) in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament at Bo Ryan Court in Platteville Friday, March 9.
(John Kemmeter photo)
The 17th-ranked Pointers (21-9) stayed with top-ranked Whitman (Wash.) for most of the first half, before Whitman (29-2) used a run to close the first half and start the second half to take control, and UWSP was unable to recover and fell 65-55 at Bo Ryan Court.
“A tough way to end a really good season,” said UWSP men’s basketball head coach Bob Semling. “Since January on, we’ve been an outstanding team, but we didn’t show that tonight, and that stings.”
“Stevens Point is like the Duke of our level,” said Whitman men’s basketball head coach Eric Bridgeland. “That’s how we look at them.
“And so you measure yourself against them, and we did that in Vegas,” he said. “And making adjustments and getting a chance to play them again, we knew it would be a great game.”
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