Pointers top Women's Basketball in WIAC Tournament

STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- A slow start and hot early shooting by UW-Stevens Point was a tough combination for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team to handle, as the Pioneers fell to the Pointers, 77-61, in the first-round of the WIAC Tournament on Tuesday in Berg Gym.

During the first five minutes, the Pointers made eight of their first 10 shots, taking a 19-4 lead. UWSP took a 36-15 lead in to halftime.

The Pioneers forced 15 first half turnovers but couldn't managed to capitalize on the opportunities as they shot 21.2 percent (7-33). Juniors Stacy Clark and Alyssa Krajco combined to score all 15 of UW-Platteville's points.

The Pointers finished the first 20 minutes shooting 53.3 percent (16-30) and took advantage of eight offensive rebounds to outscore Platteville 12-4 on second chance points.

The Pointers led by as many as 26 in the second half, 44-18, but the Pioneers didn't go down without a fight. UW-Platteville then went on a 19-4 run to cut the deficit to 11, 48-37. A pair of free throws by senior Melissa Carmody brought the Pioneers within eight, 50-42, with 10:06 to play. UWSP went on to score eight unanswered, pushing its lead back to double digits, 58-42, with 7:37 remaining. The Pioneers couldn't make another run in the final seven minutes to be setback, 77-61.

Clark led all scorers with 20 and went 9-of-13, while Krajco finished with 16 points.

The Pointers tallied five double-digit scorers and were led by Alyssa Olp with 18 points.

The Pioneers end the season 13-13 for the most wins since 2004-05. UW-Platteville finished the conference play 7-9, placing fourth in the WIAC standings for their best finish since 1989-90.