Box Score

STEVENS POINT - Britta Petersen (Luck) poured in 22 points and Janell Van Gomple (DeForest) added 16 as the Pointers defeated the Saints of Maryville University 77-62 in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball tournament.

Coming off a first round surprise exit from last year's tournament, the Pointer women's basketball team made sure there was not a repeat in this year's game.

With the score tied at five, two and a half minutes in, the Pointers used a 17-0 run to pull in front 22-5 with 12:32 showing on the clock. Taking advantage of a cold shooting performance by the Saints of Maryville, the Pointers maintained a double-digit lead through much of the first half and took a 17-point lead into halftime, 41-24.

In the second half, Maryville moved within nine points three times and once cut the Pointer lead to eight, 64-56, with just over 6:56 remaining in the game.

But Stevens Point answered with buckets by Cassie Bandow (Plover, Pacelli) and Petersen to jump back in front by double digits as the Pointers closed out the half on a 13-3 run to cruise to the 15-point victory.

Petersen added four rebounds to her 22-point performance while Van Gomple notched four assists and three rebounds in the victory. Jessi Sporle (Mineral Point) was the third Pointer in double figures, adding 10 points and six assists. Bandow led the way with ten rebounds and added eight points and three assists in the win.

For Maryville, Sara Wemlinger led the way with 17 while Megan McCabe added 12 in the loss.

The Pointers (25-3) return to action in the second round tomorrow evening when they face the Falcons of Concordia University (Wis.) in second round action starting at 7 p.m. The Falcons defeated the Cobbers of Concordia-Moorhead 76-72 in Friday's other first round game at Berg Gym.