Buena Vista trailed for the majority of the second half but took a 55-54 lead with just over a minute remaining on a Travis Person three-point shot. After a defensive stand, the Beavers opened up their lead to two points when Ryan Dupic made the first of two free throw attempts.
UW-Stout missed a three-point shot to take the lead but got an offensive rebound. Jason Clopton made good on a second opportunity from long range to give the Blue Devils a 57-56 advantage with 11 seconds remaining.
Dupic had a shot from approximately 15 feet out in the waning seconds but couldn't get it to go. Buena Vista ended up losing a game that featured 18 lead changes and seven ties after winning three consecutive games in overtime.
Andre Wagner led Buena Vista with 11 points and six rebounds. The Beavers shot just 19-55 (35%) from the field in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Jerel Enerson-Matthews scored a game-high 14 points for UW-Stout which held a 41-31 rebounding advantage. Eric Heisler recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Buena Vista is now 6-2 on the year. UW-Stout is 5-4.
Buena Vista will square off against St. Joseph College on Friday in the consolation game.