STEVENS POINT-  The UW-Stevens Point Women's Basketball Team used a 29-15 edge in bench play to defeat the Falcons of UW-River Falls Friday night at the Berg Gymnasium, 65-54.

After falling behind 10-4 in the first seven minutes of the game, the Pointers went on a 14-3 run over the next three and a half minutes to take an 18-13 lead.

Leading the way for the Pointers during the run was Alyssa Olp (Brillion, WI/Brillion) who had five points, including an impressive and one three point play that appeared to fire the Pointers up.

The Pointers extended their lead to seven points with 7:32 when Cassie Bandow (Plover, WI/Pacelli) scored five straight points, giving the Pointers a 25-18 edge.

They extended their lead to 12 before the half when Andrea Flease (New London/New London) hit a jumper with seven seconds remaining, giving the Pointers a 39-27 halftime edge.

The second half would then play out pretty even with the Pointers having their biggest lead at 16, and River Falls getting no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

Ashley Averkamp (New Berlin, WI/West) led the Pointers with 13 points and tied for a team high in rebounds with seven. Britta Petersen (Luck/Luck) had 12 points and seven rebounds the Pointers to victory.

Flease finished with a game high six assists and five steals, while Olp and Bandow each chipped in with nine points for the Pointers.

The Pointers as a team shot an impressive 54.9 percent (28-51) from the field and held the Falcons to just 36.8 percent (21-57) shooting.

Maranda Dohrn led the Falcons as she finished the game with a double-double, scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Tiffany Gregorich added 10 points for the Falcons.

The win puts the Pointers in the WIAC Championship game where they will take on UW-Whitewater, winners of their semifinal match-up with UW-La Crosse 71-59.

The game is set for Sunday at the Berg Gymnasium and will tip off at 2 p.m.  Sunday is also a "White Out" where all fans are encouraged to wear white in support of the Pointers.