Stevens Point 65, Yellowjackets 58

Saturday afternoon provided a unique opportunity for the UW-Superior women's basketball team.

Not only were the Yellowjackets looking to extend their three-game winning streak, they were also hoping junior Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) would join the 1,000 point club as they took on the UW-Stevens Point Pointers at Berg Gymnasium.

And while Linzmeier was able to join such exclusive company on a layup late in the first half, the Yellowjackets still had victory on their minds and only trailed the home-standing Pointers 58-56 with 1:22 left in regulation.

UW-Stevens Point guard Lauren Anklam made all the difference however, scoring a layup on the next possession and then connecting on two key free throws late as the Pointers held on for a hard-fought 65-58 win.

The loss came despite another big-game from Linzmeier, who entered the game just 10 points shy of 1,000 points, and dropped the Yellowjackets to 12-7 overall and 5-5 in WIAC play.

UW-Superior got off to a slow start, missing 13 of their first 14 shots to fall behind following a layup by UW-Stevens Point's Joann Wolfenberg with 10:57 left in the opening half.

The Po inters (15-5 overall, 8-3 WIAC0 expanded the lead to 22-12 at the 7:22 mark on a free throw by Kaitlyn Jacobs before Linzmeier, who led the Yellowjackets with 19 points and 12 rebounds for the game, scored her 1,000th career point on a put-back layup in the final eight seconds to help trim the deficit to 29-24 at the intermission.

inters expanded the lead to 22-12 at the 7:22 mark on a free throw by Kaitlyn Jacobs before Linzmeier, who led the Yellowjackets with 19 points and 12 rebounds for the game, scored her 1,000th career point on a put-back layup in the final eight seconds to help trim the deficit to 29-24 at the intermission.

UW-Superior started the second half with a burst, getting five points from Britnee Blake (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior), a jumper from Linzmeier and a score from Grace Kennedy (Wausau, Wis./Newman Catholic) to pull even at 33-33 with 17:30 remaining in regulation.

The Pointers came right back, scoring the next five points for a 38-33 lead after a driving layup by Anklam at the 14:16 mark.

UW-Stevens Point's lead stayed between four and eight points for the next 12:54 until a three-pointer by Blake brought the Yellowjackets to within 58-56 with 1:22 showing on the clock.

But Anklam's basket on the next possession made it 60-56 and four consecutive free throws by both Alyssa Olp and Anklam in the final 39 seconds clinched the victory for UW-Stevens Point.

Along with Linzmeier's 19 points and 12 rebounds, the Yellowjackets got 13 points from Blake and 10 from Kennedy.

UW-Stevens Point was paced by Myranda Tyler with 15 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Anklam meanwhile finished with 14 points.

The Yellowjackets continue their road swing on Wednesday as they travel to UW-Eau Claire to face the Blugolds at Zorn Arena. Opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game can be heard live on 91.3 FM KUWS with Matt Johnson on the call.