In a match that featured two of the top 20 teams in the country, the No. 15 UW-Stevens Point Pointers topped the No. 17 Falcons 71-59 Saturday night in Stevens Point.
 
The first half was a close contest.  While Stevens Point maintained the lead for most of the half, their largest lead was seven, the Falcons were right there with them.  The Falcons remained with the Pointers, forcing four ties in the half, and taking the lead once with 6:25 to play after a Brittany Gregorich (Altoona, WI, Altoona) free throw to complete a three-point play put the Falcons up 18-17.  The Falcons would go into the locker room at halftime trailing 26-24. 

B. Gregorich would lead the Falcons with 14 points throughout the game.
 
UWRF would start the second half strong with back to back buckets by Maranda Dohrn (Lake City, MN, Lake City) and Nikki Guhr (Muskego, WI, Muskego) to put the Falcons up by two early in the half.  However, that was the only lead for the Falcons, because after that it was all Pointers.  UWSP's largest lead was 14.
 
The Falcons were steady on defense, forcing 24 Pointer turnovers while only committing 21 of their own.  The Falcons also had a 10-6 advantage in steals, a 15-8 edge from points from the bench and a 28-22 advantage in the paint. 
 
However, UWRF came across a hot-shooting Pointer team that never allowed the Falcons a chance to get back into the game for much of the second half. UWSP ended the game on fire, hitting an even 50 percent of their shots, connecting on 23-46 from the field throughout the entire game.  UWRF, while making 23 shots as well, was a bit colder on shooting.  They finished 23-68 for 33.8 percent.
 
Both teams also made four three-pointers, but UWSP shot a better percentage.  They were 4-10 while UWRF was 4-16.
 
The Pointers were able to dominate the game from the charity stripe.  UWRF made only 50 percent from the line as they connected on 9-18.  UWSP had many more chances and took advantage, connecting on 21-26 for 80.8 percent.
 
Alise Holst (Plainview, MN, Plainview-Elgin-Millville) finished the game with a double double, her second of the season with 10 points to go along with 10 rebounds.  Her 10 rebounds led all players.
 
With the loss, the Falcons fall to 14-4 overall and 6-3 in the WIAC. UWRF is now 25-46 all time against the Pointers.  Stevens Point improves to 15-3 overall and 7-2 in the WIAC.  The loss means the two teams have split the season series.  UWRF beat UWSP 67-63 back on Jan. 4 at the Karges Center.
 
Up next for the Falcons is a home match against UW-Stout.  The Falcons will go for the season sweep of the Blue Devils at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25.  On Dec. 14 UWRF defeated Stout 69-38 in Menomonie. UWRF holds a 41-37 advantage in the all time series between the two rivals.
 
Box Score