ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team (11-0) used a 19-5 second quarter to spring in front and the Pointers went on to win, 57-43, over Suffolk (8-2) to close out play at the St. Pete Classic. The Pointers finish the non-conference slate undefeated and the 11-0 start is the best since 2003-04.
 
Gabby Gawlitta (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) poured in a season-high 18 points to lead all scorers. Alexa Thomson (De Pere, Wis./West) was also in double figures with 10. Jamie Pfeifer (Wisconsin Dells, Wis./Wisconsin Dells) added eight points and led the Pointers with seven rebounds.
 
Gawlitta hit UWSP's first field goal to tie the game at 4-4. The Rams scored the next seven before Courtney Krueger (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) halted the run with a three-pointer. Rachel Hagen (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) scored a bucket, but UWSP trailed 15-10 after one.
 
UWSP' defense took over as the Pointers started the second quarter on an 11-0 run. Krueger added four in the run with Pfeifer and Thomson each burying a three. Gawlitta added four and the UWSP lead was 29-20 at the break.
 
Gawlitta tallied UWSP's first seven points of the third quarter as the lead ballooned to 36-22. Emily Mortenson (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) buried a late triple and the Pointers took a 45-30 lead to the fourth.
 
Thomson nailed a three and had five points as the lead reached as much as 18 and was win double figures all quarter in the win.

The Pointers return home to open league play on Wednesday (Jan. 3) against UW-Stout. Tip-off at Berg Gym is set for 7:00 p.m.