Hanley's hot hand too much to overcome in 70–60 loss to UW–Eau Claire

PLATTEVILLE — Sophomore guard Morgan Horstman scored a team-high 12 points to lead a balance attack Wednesday night, but the UW–Platteville women's basketball team couldn't overcome the remarkable individual effort of Kayla Hanley.

Hanley, a 5-foot-8 junior who entered the game averaging just over seven points per game, made seven first-half 3-pointers and exploded for a career-high 28 points to lead the visiting Blugolds to a 70­–­60 WIAC win at Bo Ryan Court. Hanley made 10 of 13 shots, including 7 of 9 from beyond the 3-point line, and added a team-high seven rebounds and two assists.

Hanley hit five 3-pointers in the first quarter to lead the Blugolds to an early 21–9 lead, then made her first three shots of the second quarter to push the UWEC lead to 36–29 with 1:29 left in the second quarter.

The Pioneers closed the half on a 7–0 run to tie the game at 36–36 at intermission.

The Blugolds outscored UW–Platteville 17–11 in the third quarter and never trailed again. The Pioneers were able to trim the deficit to four at 61–57 with 3:27 left on back-to-back Hartman jumpers, but got no closer. Hallee Hoeppner's jumper with 2:35 left pushed the lead to six and she converted a three-point play on the ensuing possession. UW–Eau Claire them four free throws in the final minute to close out the win.

Hoeppner finished with 16 points and three steals for UW–Eau Claire, which improved to 10–8 overall and 4–3 in the WIAC.

Sophomore Allison Prestegaard (Amboy, Ill.) posted nine points, five rebounds and five blocks for the Pioneers, who fell to 6–12, 2–5. Junior guard Blaire Lutes (Shullsburg) also finished with nine points and three rebounds. Senior guard Morgan Hartman (Rochester, Minn.) had a nice all-around game with eight points, six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Lexis Macomber (Lanark, Ill.) chipped in seven points and seven boards in 18 minutes off the bench.

UW–Platteville's bench out scored the UW–Eau Claire bench 20–7.

The Pioneers will return to action Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at UW–Stout. The Blue Devils (5–13, 1–6 WIAC) dropped their sixth straight game Wednesday night against UW–River Falls, 70–68. UW–Stout defeated the Pioneers 72–59 to begin conference play back on Jan. 4.

By Jason Nihles, UW–Platteville Athletics