The home-standing UW-Stout Blue Devils had other plans however.  And they made those plans a reality, taking a seven point lead late in the first half and then holding off the Yellowjackets the rest of the way during a 79-68 win at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The loss evens UW-Superior's conference mark at 1-1 while also dropping the Yellowjackets to 4-2 overall on the season.  The Blue Devils meanwhile improved to 5-3 overall and 1-1 in league play.

UW-Stout jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first two layups by Katelynne Folkers and a three-pointer by Kayla Windt in the first 4:29 of play.

The Yellowjackets rallied back, going on a 13-4 run over the next 5:20 to take a 13-11 edge behind four points from Connie Urmanski (Edgar, Wis./Edgar), a three-pointer by Kristen Nett (Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port), two free throws by Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) and inside jumpers by Cansis Bodsberg (Rice Lake, Wis./Boyceville) and Hillary Peterson (Sturgeon Lake, Minn./Moose Lake).

Matters remained tight over the next few minutes as the teams traded baskets.

But the Blue Devils took control late in the half, going on a 10-3 burst over the final 3:11 to assume a 31-24 lead at the break.

The Yellowjackets stayed within striking distance in the first 1:45 of the second half, getting a three-point play from Linzmeier to cut the deficit to 35-27.

UW-Stout pulled away however, scoring the game's next nine points to take a 44-27 advantage on a jumper by Brea Boomer with 16:21 left in regulation.

A 10-0 run by the Yellowjackets behind four points from Allyssa Lindberg (Marquette, Mich./Marquette), a layup by Linzmeier, two free throws by Urmanski and a jumper by Bodsberg brought UW-Superior within two at 48-46 with 10:06 showing on the clock.

The Blue Devils responded with 9-2 run of their, eventually taking a 57-48 lead following two free throws by Haley Froehlich with 6:55 left in the second half.

UW-Superior would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way as UW-Stout connected on 10 free throws in the final 1:21 to seal the victory.

The Yellowjackets were led offensively by Urmanski's game-high 22 points. Linzmeier added 17 points while Lindberg finished with 10.

UW-Stout was paced by Whitney Rawdon with 17 points.  Windt added 14 points while Froehlich finished with 12, Boomer with 11 and Folkers with 10 for the Blue Devils.

UW-Superior returns home to face UW-La Crosse at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium Saturday.  Opening tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.