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Pointers tip Warhawks to claim WIAC crown

WHITEWATER — Sam Barber and Clinton High graduate Liz Althoff lifted UW-Stevens Point’s women’s basketball team to the WIAC Tournament title Sunday.

Althoff made four clutch free throws in overtime and Barber scored a game-high 34 points to lead the Pointers to a 76-71 win in the Kachel Gym.

Stevens Point (23-5) earned the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament with the win, while regular-season WIAC champion Whitewater (21-6) is expected to receive an at-large bid when the pairings are released today.

The Pointers took a 67-64 lead with 23 seconds left in regulation on two free throws from Althoff, but the Warhawks tied the game and forced overtime on Mary Merg’s 3-pointer with five seconds left.

Whitewater never led in overtime as Barber, the WIAC’s leading scorer, put her team ahead for good at 72-71 on a free throw with 1:38 left. Althoff’s four free throws in the last minute sealed the victory.

Lisa Palmer had 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the Warhawks.

STEVENS POINT 76, WHITEWATER 71 (OT)

Stevens Point (76)—Althoff, 1-6-8; Barber, 12-4-34; Olp, 1-1-3; Allen, 3-0-6; Tyler, 8-2-18; Hennes, 2-2-7. Totals: 27-15-76.

Whitewater (71)—Thill, 2-4-8; Theune, 3-2-8; Merg, 5-2-13; Palmer, 5-3-13; Kumerow, 4-1-9; Reeves, 3-2-10; Burton, 2-0-4; Quandt, 2-0-5. Totals: 26-14-71.

UW-Stevems Point 38 29 9—76

UW-Whitewater 32 35 4—71

Three-point goals—Stevens Point 7 (Barber 6, Hennes), Whitewater 5 (Reeves 2, Theune, Merg, Quandt). Rebounds—Stevens Point 38 (Tyler 9), Whitewater 49 (Palmer 12). Free throws missed—Stevens Point 3, Whitewater 2. Total fouls—Stevens Point 14, Whitewater 18.

Attendance—471.