Box Score | Photos (Thomas Brossart)

Post-Game Interview:
-Barmore & Smith (0:49)

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's erased a 14-point halftime deficit to upset No. 24 Wisconsin-Stevens Point 60-55 in the Johnnies' home opener Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Collegeville.

The Pointers (3-1, 0-0 WIAC) shot 55.6 percent (15-for-27) in the first half, including 6-for-8 from behind the arc, to post a 38-24 lead at the half. The momentum shifted drastically in the second half, however, as the Johnnies forced 12 UWSP turnovers and held the visitors to just 2-for-17 (11.8 percent) from the field.

The Johnnies opened the second half with a 19-5 run to tie the game at 43-43. The Pointers' Tyler Tillema answered with five straight points, but SJU (2-1, 0-0 MIAC) clawed back with a 12-2 run, thanks to four three-pointers, to take a 55-50 lead with 2:18 remaining. The Johnnies made seven of 10 three-pointers in the game's final 20 minutes and scored 30 points off 17 Pointer turnovers in the game.

Senior Aaron Barmore (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) and sophomore Kevin McKenzie (De Pere, Wis./Notre Dame Academy) led SJU with 13 points apiece, while sophomore Seth Marx (Maple Grove, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) added 11 points. Ten of McKenzie's career-high 13 points came in the second half. Junior Chris Neumann (Winsted, Minn./Holy Trinity) totaled seven points and seven rebounds (four offensive) off the bench.

Tyler Tillema led the Pointers with 14 points and Dan Tillema added 12.

With the win, SJU head coach Jim Smith passed Norm Stewart (728-373; Northern Iowa, 1962-67; Missouri, 1968-99) and is now tied with Jerry Tarkanian (729-201; Long Beach State, 1969-73; UNLV, 1974-92, Fresno State, 1996-02) for 21st all-time with 729 career victories.

SJU travels to face Augsburg to open the MIAC schedule next Wednesday, Nov. 30. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Si Melby Hall in Minneapolis.