Box Score

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (uwrfsports.com)- The UW-River Falls women's basketball team (13-3, 4-1 WIAC) came into its matchup against the UW-Steven Point Pointers ranked 18^th in the Division III Women's Top 25 poll. UWSP came into the matchup ranked right behind UWRF at 19^th, so it was a battle of top 25 teams.
 
In the matchup of top 25 teams, the Falcons traveled to Stevens Point and suffered their first conference loss of the season. The final score saw the Falcons on the wrong side of a 63-52 final score.
 
UWSP opened up the first quarter by taking a 0-2 lead on a layup, but on the next possession junior guard Katie Messman buried a three-point field goal to give the Falcons a 3-2 lead. UWSP went on a quick 5-0 run to give the Pointers a 3-7 lead.
 
The Falcons countered the Pointers mini-run with a 6-0 run of their own. A layup and two free throws from junior forward Kate Theisen and a layup from junior post player Taylor Augustine keyed the 6-0 run. UWRF and UWSP would go on to trade baskets to end the first quarter to bring the score to 14-15 in favor of the Pointers.
 
After two straight Pointer jump shots, junior guard Brynn Liljander made her first field goal of the game to bring the Falcons with in three points. One minute later, Kate Theisen made a layup to bring the Falcons within one point of the Pointers.
 
With 2:28 left in the second quarter, junior guard Hannah Pignato made a layup to bring the Falcons within one point at 22-23. After that basket, the Falcons went on an 8-4 run to end the quarter. Two Brynn Liljander three-point field goals and a fast-break layup from sophomore post player Taylor Karge keyed the Falcons' run to get them into halftime with a 30-27 advantage.
 
After halftime, the Pointers made two straight layups to give themselves a 30-31, and then Kate Theisen and Taylor Karge hit two straight baskets of their own to give the Falcons a 34-31 lead. The Falcons widened their lead to 40-33 thanks to two baskets from senior guard Richell Mehus and a jump shot from Taylor Karge.
 
After three quarters, the Falcons led 43-42 over the 19^th ranked Pointers. This was the last time in the game that the Falcons possessed the lead because the Pointers outscored the Falcons 9-21 in the fourth quarter. The final score of the game was 63-52 in favor of the Pointers.
 
The Falcons were led by Richell Mehus who tallied 11 points, gathered five rebounds, and tallied four steals. Brynn Liljander and Kate Theisen scored 10 points apiece. Taylor Karge was credited with seven points and six rebounds.
 
The Falcons shot 35 percent from the field and 69 percent from the free throw line.
 
Even though the Falcons lost, they are still in a three-way tie for first place with UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point. The Falcons are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 23 when they play host to the UW-Platteville Pioneers. The tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Karges Center.