Box Score
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Media Relations

Box Score

MELBOURNE, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2012)-- Scorching the nets in the opening 20 minutes of play and holding off a late game charge, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside men's basketball team closed out the Hooters of Melbourne Tournament on a positive note, downing the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras 78-67 on Saturday inside the Clemente Center to secure the consolation title.

Jeremy Saffold had a monster game for the Rangers, hitting 14 of his 20 shots and pouring on a career-high 34 points to lead the team and earn a spot on the All-Tournament squad. The senior forward concluded the two-day jamboree averaging 23.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game.

The Rangers (3-1) drained 60.6 percent (20-for-33) of their shots in the opening half, leading by as many as 18 points while enjoying a 43-28 advantage at the halftime intermission. UWP tallied the game's first five points and led by 11-points with 14:22 remaining off a Zygimantas Riauka jumper. The Gallitos (1-5) close the gap to just six points with 10:51 left and again at 9:17 before UWP collected 20 of the next 28 points, building an 18-point lead with 51 seconds remaining in the first half. A Carlos Alfonso trey cut the Ranger lead to 15 at the break.

UW-Parkside's advantage swelled to 22-points early in the second half off a Saffold three-pointer before UPR-Rio Piedras began chipping away at the lead, closing to within six points with 7:28 remaining off a Gabriel Anglero layup. The Rangers responded, building the lead back into double digits just three minutes later en route to the 11-point victory.

The Rangers destroyed the Gallitos in the paint, owning a 52-16 edge in points while also holding a 22-3 edge in fast break points.

Joining Saffold in double figures for UWP was Riauka and Conrad Krutwig. Riauka posted a career-best 21 points, hitting nine-of-14 from the field while Krutwig added 10 points along with a team-high six rebounds. Bryant Smith dished out five assists while Andy Mazurczak grabbed three steals.

Angel Acevedo led the Gallitos with 22 points with Roberto Martinez coming off the bench and adding 17 and a game-high eight rebounds.

The Rangers return to the court on Saturday, hosting Cedarville University. Tipoff inside DeSimone Gymnasium is slated for 3 p.m.