STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The No. 25 UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team (12-1, 1-1) needed a fourth quarter rally to earn a 66-62 win over visiting UW-La Crosse (8-5, 1-1), the first conference win for the Pointers.
 
Gabby Gawlitta (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) and Courtney Krueger (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) had 14 points each to lead the Pointers. Alexa Thomson (De Pere, Wis./West) added 13 points and Jamie Pfeifer (Wisconsin Dells, Wis./Wisconsin Dells) was also in double figures with 11 points. Pfeifer led UWSP with seven rebounds.
 
The game was delayed nearly 36 minutes after fire alarms in the building went off 90 seconds into the first quarter. After play resumed, Thomson had back-to-back jumpers to get UWSP within 7-4. Rachel Hagen (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) added four points and UWSP trailed 9-8 after one.
 
Kreuger gave UWSP its first lead with a layup in the opening minute of the second quarter. Gawlitta had all five points in a 5-0 run by the Pointers for a 17-13 lead. Josie Nies (Platteville, Wis./Platteville) buried a three and Pfeifer added four points, but UWL end the half on a 7-0 run as the Pointers trailed, 26-24, at the break.
 
Thomson tied the game with a jumper in the opening minute of the third. Pfeifer and Gawlitta hit consecutive threes as UWSP stayed close at 34-32. Emily Mortenson (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) drained a three and had five points as the Pointers were behind 48-43 heading to the fourth.
 
Kreuger scored a layup and Pfeifer made a three to tie the game at 48-48. Thomson sunk a triple to put UWSP in front 51-50. Gawlitta scored six points in an 8-2 run by the Pointers for a 59-54 advantage. UWSP made 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to close out the win.
 
The Pointers will play their first road conference game on Wednesday (Jan. 10) at UW-Whitewater. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.