STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team (4-0) jumped in front early and never looked back in a 73-42 win over Principia (3-2) in the home opener on Sunday.
 
Jessilyn Ernst (Pardeeville, Wis./Pardeeville) and Maija Rice (L'Anse, Mich./L'Anse Area) were both in double figures with a game-high 12 points each. Ernst nearly posted a double-double with a team-best nine rebounds.
 
Ernst made a layup in the opening minute and Rice added four points as the Pointers led 8-0 out of the gate. Ava Loftus (Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) and Maddie Murphy (La Crosse, Wis./Aquinas) each nailed a three-pointer and UWSP led 23-8 after one.
 
Rice and Emma Kilpatrick (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) each had four early points in the second quarter. Ernst added four points of her own and Brenna Gehri (Oshkosh, Wis./West) drilled a three late as the halftime advantage was 42-13.
 
Ernst scored UWSP's first five points in the third quarter. Kilpatrick scored four points and Kate Vanden Berg (Appleton, Wis./North) added a layup late as UWSP held a 58-25 edge heading to the fourth.
 
Murphy buried another three early in the fourth. Lily Truchon (Herbster, Wis./South Shore), Keira Maki (Escanaba, Mich./Escanaba), Mia Racine (De Pere, Wis./De Pere) and Egan Bierowski (De Pere, Wis./De Pere) each made a layup in the fourth as the Pointers closed out the win.
 
The Pointers are home against Lakeland on Tuesday (Nov. 25). Tip off is slated for 6:00 p.m.