RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team (12-5, 1-5) came up short in a league contest at UW-River Falls (10-7, 3-3) by a 54-51 final on Wednesday.
 
Maija Rice (L'Anse, Mich./L'Anse Area) posted another double-double with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds. Karissa Smith (Freedom, Wis./Appleton North) was also in double figures with 10 points.
 
Rice had the first bucket of the game and six points in the first quarter. Smith had the other two as UWSP trailed, 11-8, after one.
 
Jessilyn Ernst (Pardeeville, Wis./Pardeeville) had four points in the second quarter and the Pointers were down, 20-16, at the half.
 
Rice started the second half with a layup, but by the time Emma Kilpatrick (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) scored seven minutes later, UWRF had a 29-18 lead. Rice added five more points and Annika Salettel (Beaver Dam, Wis./Beaver Dam) hit a three as UWSP got within 34-30 heading to the fourth.
 
Brenna Gehri (Oshkosh, Wis./West) nailed a three to get the Pointers with a bucket early in the fourth. Gehri hit another three to tie the game at 44-44 with 2:30 remaining. With five ticks left, Rice nailed a three to get UWSP within 52-51. Two late free throws by UWRF sealed the win.

The Pointers return home to face UW-La Crosse to close out the first half of league play. Tip off on Saturday (Jan. 24) is set for 3:00 p.m.