PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team (12-7, 1-7) saw a seven-point halftime lead evaporate early in the second half in a 60-47 loss at UW-Platteville (15-4, 5-3).
 
Karissa Smith (Freedom, Wis./Appleton North) led the Pointers in scoring with 18 points. She was 6-for-10 from the floor, including four three-point makes. Maija Rice (L'Anse, Mich./L'Anse Area) tied for the game-high with eight rebounds.
 
Laney Panich (Wautoma, Wis./Wautoma) and Smith each hit a three early as UWSP led, 6-2. Aubrey Smith (Cottage Grove, Wis./Monona Grove) and Karissa Smith (Freedom, Wis./Appleton North) each added a bucket as the Pointers held a 10-6 advantage after one.
 
Karissa Smith (Freedom, Wis./Appleton North) buried three three-pointers in the second quarter and Aubrey Smith (Cottage Grove, Wis./Monona Grove) added four points as the Pointers took a 29-22 lead into the break.
 
Jessilyn Ernst (Pardeeville, Wis./Pardeeville) had the only field goal for the Pointers in the first eight minutes of the third quarter as the Pioneers used a 21-5 run to lead, 43-34. Ernst had another bucket and Kate Vanden Berg (Appleton, Wis./North) had three points in the final minute as the Pointers were down, 47-39, heading to the fourth.
 
Emma Kilpatrick (Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly) had UWSP's four points over the first half of the fourth quarter. Rice had two free throws and Karissa Smith (Freedom, Wis./Appleton North) made a layup, but UWSP went scoreless the final 2:44 in the loss.

The Pointers return to the road on Wednesday (Feb. 4) to face UW-Stout. Tip-off in Menomonie is set for 7:00 p.m.