NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team (9-1) took down Illinois College (2-9) on the opening day of the Music City Classic.
 
Gabby Gawlitta (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) posted her fourth double-double in the last five games with a game-high-tying 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Ava Loftus (Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) added a career-high 13 points and Maddie Murphy (La Crosse, Wis./Aquinas) put up a season-high 10 points.
 
Gawlitta scored UWSP's first three points as the Pointers rallied from an early 4-0 hole. Maija Rice (L'Anse, Mich./L'Anse Area) and Loftus combined for the next 11 points as UWSP used a 15-0 run to take a 19-11 lead after one.
 
Loftus made a layup to snap a three-and-a-half minute drought to start the second quarter. Keira Maki (Escanaba, Mich./Escanaba) added four points and Gawlitta ended the half with an and-one for a 30-22 advantage at the break.
 
Murphy buried a three with 3:51 left in the third quarter for her first points of the game to up the lead to 41-28. She hit again from beyond the arc as the lead was 46-36 heading to the fourth.
 
Karissa Smith (Freedom, Wis./Appleton North) nailed a three to start the fourth and Murphy hit another triple for a 52-40 lead. Gawlitta added five points late to seal the win.
 
The Pointers close out non-conference play on Monday (Dec. 30) against Mount Aloysius in he Music City Classic finale at 5:00 p.m.