For the Gazette

STEVENS POINT –  The UW-Stevens Point men’s basketball team (3-2) never trailed in a 79-61 win over visiting Augustana (4-3).
Garrett Nelson (Beaver Dam) led all scorers with 18 points. Brady Wagner (Lake Mills) added 15 and Elijah Vander Velden (Huntington, IN) was also in double figures with 12.
UWSP made its first five field goals, including Zach Mootz (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) and Wagner hits consecutive threes as the Pointers jumped out to a 12-4 lead.  Darrius Bolden (Glendale, Wis./Nicolet) and AJ Makinen (Waterford) hit triples midway through the first half as the Pointers held a 26-14 advantage.
Nelson hit a couple buckets and UWSP made all six free throws down the stretch for a 40-26 lead at the half.
Wagner buried another three early in the second half.  Ryan Peterson (Eagle River) hit from behind the arc and Makinen drilled a shot from long range as UWSP maintained a double-digit lead the entire second half.
The Pointers head to UW-Whitewater on Dec. 1 to open league play.  Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.