Women's Basketball Falls in Overtime at UW-Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville fell in overtime, 62-57, to UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday night in Zorn Arena.

The Pioneers' (2-6, 0-2 WIAC) senior Elizabeth Lawinger led all scorers with 17 points and added six defensive rebounds and three steals. Sophomores Alyssa Krajco and Rachel Cropp and junior Melissa Carmody all scored nine points as Krajco dominated the glass with a career-high 14 rebounds and added a team-high three steals.

The Blugolds (4-3, 2-0 WIAC) were led by Sarah Bingea with a team-high 15 points and nine rebounds. Courtney Lewis added 13 points, while Teenie Lichtfuss scored 11 points with five boards.

Despite shooting 8-29 (27.6%) from the floor in the first-half the Pioneers only trailed UW-Eau Claire by nine points, 29-20, at halftime.

The Pioneers used a 7-0 run and took their second lead of the game, 45-42, with 5:25 left in regulation.  UWEC's Lichtfuss nailed a jumper as time expired to put the game into overtime, 49-49.

In overtime, the Blugolds never let the Pioneers take a lead. The Pioneers tailed, 60-57, with 1:53 left and forced a pair of turnovers but were unable to convert as UWEC's Bingea sealed the victory with a pair of free throws with eight seconds to play, 62-57.

The Pioneers will look to get their first league on Saturday when they square off with UW-Stout at 6 p.m. on Bo Ryan Court in Williams Fieldhouse.