STEVENS POINT, Wis. – A strong second half powered by a pivotal 16-1 run that gave the UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team (9-6, 2-3) a 54-49 victory over visiting UW-River Falls (11-5, 1-4) on Wednesday.
 
Alexa Thomson (De Pere, Wis./West) and Courtney Krueger (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) were both in double figures with 13 and 12 points, respectively. The duo also led UWSP in rebounding with eight boards apiece.
 
Krueger owned the first quarter, scoring all seven points for UWSP, including a three that gave the Pointers a 5-2 lead. The Falcons closed the quarter on a 5-0 run for a 13-7 lead.
 
Thomson nailed a three to begin the second quarter. Jamie Pfeifer (Wisconsin Dells, Wis./Wisconsin Dells) had six points in the quarter, including the final four of the half as UWSP got within one, 21-20, at the break.
 
Thomson scored buckets to tie the game at 23-23 and again at 27-27. Josie Nies (Platteville, Wis./Platteville) scored four in a row for a brief 31-29 lead. Katelyn Slowik (Elcho, Wis./Elcho) drained a three to end the quarter as UWSP scored the final six for a 37-34 advantage heading to the fourth.
 
Pfeifer pushed the run to 8-0 with a bucket before UWRF made a free throw. Gabby Gawlitta (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) hit a basket and Slowik drilled another three. Kelly McIntyre (Waukesha, Wis./North) capped the massive run with an and-one for a 47-35 lead. McIntyre and Krueger each made a basket down the stretch and UWSP's defense held off a furious UWRF rally.
 
The Pointers travel to UW-Eau Claire for a 5:00 p.m. tipoff on Saturday (Jan. 14) at Zorn Arena.