The Northland Lumberjills got a chance to experience first hand the size, athleticism and skill of the WIAC conference on Tuesday.  The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Pointers had a significant height advantage over the Lumberjills and shot 63.8% for the game to cruise to a 100-49 victory.

The Lumberjills started off slow and sluggish and the Pointers quickly went up 8-0.  With 6:42 left in the first quarter, Freshman Miranda Wagner hit a 3 pointer to score the first points for NC making it 8-3.  The Pointers used their size and excellent shooting to extend their lead to 23-8 until Wagner scored consecutive buckets for the Lumberjills to close the UWSP lead to 23-12.  UWSP continued to hit shots and increased their lead to 29-14.  Northland got a momentum boost at the end of the first quarter as sophomore Bianca Avalos picked up a steal and laid the ball in at the buzzer to bring the Lumberjills within 13 points, 29-16.

The Pointers offense continued to roll as the second quarter was underway and UWSP stretched out their lead over the Lumberjills to 45-19.  With 2:50 left to go in the quarter, Sophomore and reigning UMAC player of the week Lindsay Bressette, was called for an offensive foul as she charged the lane.  Bressette injured her ankle on the play and was unable to return to the game.  Bressette's absence was felt immediately as Northland's intensity began to decline and fouls began adding up for the Lumberjills putting the hot shooting Pointers at the charity stripe.  Northland gave up an offensive rebound for a putback at the end of the second quarter and the Pointers went into the locker room up comfortably at 53-25.  26 of UWSP's points came in the lane and the Pointers shot 52.9% for the half and 85% from the free throw line.

Freshman Point Guard Ashley Lopez started off the third quarter with a 3 pointer from the wing.  It was one of three 3-point baskets for Lopez in the third quarter.  Despite Lopez's hot shooting, the Pointers continued to cruise offensively and extended their lead to 78-41 as fouls just kept adding up for the Lumberjills.

With a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter, the tall and long Pointers had no problem breaking the press from Northland and pounded the ball into the paint hitting tough shots in the lane.  UWSP scored on six consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter and came away with a victory of 100-49.

Wagner scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half and Amber Baehman led UWSP with 20 points.  The Pointers scored 56 points in the paint and shot 63.8% for the game and 80% from the free throw line.

The next test for the Lumberjills will be on the road in Wisconsin Dells on 11/20 against the University of Dubuque.

Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.