Box Score

STEVENS POINT - The Pointers used a game-winning jumper by Cassie Bandow (Plover, WI/Pacelli) (Plover) with :05 remaining to sneak out of La Crosse with a 58-56 victory over the Eagles.

UW-La Crosse struggled early, and the Pointers capitalized on the Eagles poor shooting to take a 17-8 lead with 7:25 to go in the first half. But the Pointers had offensive struggles of their own, which allowed La Crosse to close the gap to three at 26-23 at halftime.

The Pointers came out of the locker room hot, extending their lead to 35-25 in the early stages of the second half. The Eagles stormed back once again, utilizing a poor night from the Pointers at the foul line to pull within two with 10:00 left in the second frame.

The game got tight down the final stretch, as they Eagles remained within two possessions over the final minutes. They finally closed the gap when Mackenzie Hunter made a layup with 16 seconds remaining to tie the game at 56, setting up the game-winning dramatics by Bandow.

The Pointers (7-1, 2-0 WIAC) were led by Britta Petersen (Luck/Luck)'s (Luck) 17 points and five boards. Janell Van Gomple (DeForest/DeForest) (DeForest) added 10 points while Jesse Sporle (Mineral Point) grabbed six boards in the victory.
The Eagles (5-2, 0-1 WIAC) got a game-high 22 points from Lindsay Wahl and 19 from Hunter.

UWSP enters the holiday break undefeated in WIAC play for the first time since the 2003-04 season when the advanced to the NCAA Final Four.

No. 13 Pointers return to action on Friday, Dec. 12 when they travel to play Luther College.  The Pointers are then set for a short break and resume action on Dec. 30 when they host Edgewood College at Berg Gym at 5:00 p.m.