Pioneers come up just short

UW-Platteville gave visiting UW-La Crosse a run for the money Saturday, but the Eagles prevailed 66-60 in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game on Bo Ryan Court.

Allison Prestegaard scored 10 points, and Jai Clemons had nine to lead the Pioneers, who fell to 6-15 overall and 2-8 in the WIAC. Dani Craig and Shayla Karge each had 11 for the Eagles, now 14-6, 7-3. 

The Eagles, who beat the Pioneers by 20 exactly three weeks ago, scored the first 13 points of the game. UW-L led 25-14 after one quarter before the hosts closed within 33-28 at the half. 

UW-Platteville finally caught the Eagles at 51-51 with 7:11 remaining on a Lexis Macomber jump shot. The game was tied again at 55-55 on Kassie Buchholz' layup with 4:53 left, but two Ava Kramer free throws and a Craig three-point play gave the Eagles a 60-55 lead. The Pioneers closed again with three points twice but could not get closer.

Coach Megan Wilson's team plays at her alma mater, UW-Stevens Point, Wednesday at 7 p.m., before playing its final home game next Saturday vs. UW-Eau Claire at 3 p.m.

By Paul Erickson, Director, UW-Platteville Communications, 608.342.1194, pr@uwplatt.edu