The Millikin men's basketball team scored an important win defeating the University of Wisconsin-Stout 68-56 on Dec. 28 at the ICI Center in Daytona Beach Fla. at the Land of Magic Classic.  Millikin improves to 6-4 on the season while Stout goes to 7-3.

          After a back-and-fourth first half, the game was tied at 28-28 at the half.

The Big Blue opened the second half with a 20-5 to open up a 15 point advantage and held off the Blue Devils for the 10 point victory.

          Wisconsin-Stout shot 45 percent from the field while Millikin shot 40 percent.  The Blue Devils out rebounded Millikin 35-33.  Millikin forced the Blue Devils into 28 turnovers resulting in 15 more shots for the Big Blue on the offensive end of the floor.

          Tives Gardner led Millikin with 19 points including 10 points scored in the final seven minutes of the game that sealed the Big Blue victory.  TJ Griffin and Deavis Johnson each added 16 points.  Johnson had a double double with a team high 12 rebounds.  Elijah Kinmon scored 10 points for Millikin.

          Jimmy Whitehead led the Blue Devils with 20 points and six rebounds.

          Millikin will play Plattsburgh State in Florida on Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. ET.