ST. PAUL, Minn. – UW-Stevens Point closed out the game on an 11-3 run and forced 20 St. Thomas turnovers as the sixth-ranked Pointer women's basketball team opened the season with a 72-67 victory over the Tommies at the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex.
The win marks the 11th straight season-opening victory for the Pointers.
St. Thomas jumped out to the early lead in the game's opening half, going in front 13-7 in the early going. The Pointers answered back and pulled in front by three, 22-19, with a Britta Petersen three-pointer at the 8:21 mark.
A back-and-forth battle ensued the remainder of the opening half as the teams traded leads until St. Thomas pulled in front and held a 40-37 lead at the half.
In the second half, the Tommies maintained a single-digit lead much of the way, but with 4:25 remaining a layup by Christin Coles gave UWSP a one point lead and the Pointers closed out the game on an 11-3 run to earn the victory.
The Pointers committed just 11 turnovers while forcing 20 by the Tommies.
Petersen led all scorers with 25, leading a quartet of Pointers in double figures. Sam Barber tallied 12 points in her Pointers debut off the bench including three three-pointers. Coles added 12 points and Brooke Allen chipped in 10. Petersen and Barber collected six rebounds each to lead the team.
Ali Johnson led the Tommies with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, all from beyond the three point arc.
The Pointers (1-0) open the home portion of the 2010-11 season on Thursday, Nov. 18 with another non-conference match-up when they host Hamline University at Berg Gym. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.