Box Score

Stevens Point, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) – After narrowly getting into the WIAC tournament, the UW-River Falls women's basketball upset the No. 3 seed UW-Stevens Point 47-43 on the road in a thrilling fashion with senior Kate Theisen scoring a season-high 16 points. 

THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UW-River Falls: 47, UW-Stevens Point 43
Location: Berg Gym, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Record: UWRF: 9-17 (4-11 WIAC), UW-Stevens Point 17-9 (9-6 WIAC)
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• UW-River Falls scored just 13 points in the first half, but a 34 point second half, including 12 points from Theisen which helped the Falcons erase an 11 point second half deficit and pull off the upset.
• The first quarter was a slow quarter for both teams. The Pointers opened with a 6-2 lead in the first four minutes. The rest of the quarter was much of the same, with the score ending 13-7 in a slow paced 10 minutes.
• The second quarter saw a rare occurrence, both teams scored single digits. The Falcons saw about a five minute span between the first and second quarter with no points, but were only down seven.
• Both teams scored a few baskets at the end of the second quarter to bring the score to 21-13. Taylor Paulsrud scored six in the first half, all off shots from beyond the arc.
• The third quarter was big for UWRF. The Falcons scored as many points as they had in the first half, with Kate Theisen scoring in bunches. She scored five points in the third quarter.
• The Pointers scored nine in the quarter, cutting their lead in half heading into the fourth quarter.
• UWSP brought their lead quickly back to eight points with the first four points in the fourth. Three different Falcons scored six straight points to bring the game to 34-32.
• The two teams exchanged buckets before freshman Crystal Pearson found herself at the line. She sank both and tied the game with 4:44 to go in the game.
• Taylor Karge put the Falcons on top for the first time since the first quarter with a scoop and score with 3:59 to go in the fourth. UWRF would not trail the rest of the game.
• Theisen came up with some big free throws with 18 seconds left, giving the Falcons a three point lead. Lauren Anklam launched a prayer with nine seconds to go, tying the game.
• After a timeout advanced the ball, the Falcons found Paulsrud in the corner. She drove baseline and laid in a shot to give the Falcons the two point lead with just four seconds to go.
• UWSP on the ensuing inbounds, turned the ball over, and Theisen again hit two free throws, sealing the win for the Falcons.

 
IN-DEPTH LOOK

• Theisen was a beast down low for UWRF. She shot 5-10 from the floor and finished with 16 points. She corralled eight rebounds and also had four huge steals.
• Paulsrud shot 5-7 from the floor and finished with 12 points and three rebounds.
• As a team, the Falcons shot 16-47 (34 percent) from the floor. The team shot 2-11 (18.2 percent) from the three point line.
• Down the stretch free throws were big, and the Falcons hit the ones that mattered. After UWRF got to the line just twice in the first half, the Falcons finished the game 13-16 (81.3 percent) from the charity stripe.

THE OPPOSITION

• Katy Heine was the leading scorer for UWSP. She did most of her work at the free throw line going 6-10. She also gathered seven rebounds and had two blocks.
• Autumn Hennes shot 4-12 and finished with nine points, she also had five rebounds and two blocks.
• The Pointers outrebounded the Falcons 39-32, with 15 of the rebounds coming on the offensive glass.
• From the floor, UWSP shot 14-51 (27.5 percent) and made just one three pointer in the game. From the line the Pointers missed some opportunities shooting 14-21 (66.7 percent).

 
LOOKING AHEAD
Being the No. 6 seed, UW-River Falls will now travel to Oshkosh, Wisconsin on Friday February 24 at 7 p.m. to take on No. 1 seed UW-Oshkosh (23-2, 13-1 WIAC). In the regular season the Titans swept the season series with the Falcons.