Pioneers defeat No. 18 Chicago 63-53 to remain undefeated

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (4-0) extended its winning streak to four after a 63-53 victory over No. 18 University of Chicago (1-2) on Bo Ryan Court. The Pioneers' 4-0 start to the season is a first for the program since 1994.

Notes from the Pioneers

Junior guard Maiah Domask had a team high 21 points and when asked about the team's fast start to the year said, "I think it's due to our new style of play."  Domask went on to say, "We are a defensive minded team first. We get stops and then push in transition. Getting a great defensive stop fires us up and we reward ourselves on offense with buckets."

Looking back at Chicago's fourth quarter run, Domask said, "Coach called a timeout and told us all to 'take a deep breath.' We collected ourselves and realized that they're the ones who needed to be panicked because we had the lead." In the end, Domask said, "Certain people stepped up at different points to handle the ball and hit shots which is what we ultimately needed to grind it out."

First half

• The Pioneers trailed for the first time this season to start the game as Chicago led 5-0 in the first minute of play.  By the 5:51 mark, UW-Platteville reclaimed the lead and never looked back.
• The Pioneers kept Chicago out of double digits in the first quarter and led 22-9 going into the second quarter. UW-Platteville shot 60.0% (9-of-15) from the field and 50.0% (3-of-6) from beyond the three-point arc in the first quarter.
• UW-Platteville led 36-24 going into the half and finished shooting 56% (14-of-25) from the field and 44.4% (4-of-9) from beyond the three-point line.

Second half

• UW-Platteville sank 8-of-10 free throws and held Chicago under 10 again in the third quarter to lead 50-32 going into the final period of the game.
• Chicago made its best attempt at a comeback in the fourth quarter with a 19-8 run, but the Pioneers endured and finished shooting 5-of-6 free throws in the final 0:38 seconds of play.
• The Pioneers shot 24.0% (6-of-25) from the field during the second half, while Chicago shot 34.4% (11-of-32).

Notables 

• UW-Platteville improved to 4-0 on the season which marks the first time in program history since four victories opened the 1994-95 season.
• No. 18 Chicago fell to 1-2 overall.
• The Pioneers dished out 19 points off 15 turnovers and held a 34-27 advantage in rebounds.
• UW-Platteville's largest lead of 18 fell at the end of the third quarter before Chicago's fourth quarter rally. 
• Domask added eight rebounds to her 21 points and tallied three steals and one assist.
• Senior guard Morgan Horstman dished out 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds, three steals, and one block.
• UW-Platteville finished 40.0% (20-of-50) from the field with 32 points in the paint and shot 36.4% (4-of-11) from beyond the three-point arc. Chicago finished 35.1% (20-of-57) from the field and shot 25% (4-of-16) from the three-point line.
• The Pioneers shot 76.0% (19-of-25) from the free throw line while Chicago finished shooting 75.0% (9-of-12). 

Remarks from Coach McNiff

"We really focused on playing team defense," said head coach Kelly McNiff when asked about holding Chicago's top scorers below their averages coming into the game. In regards to the fourth quarter rally, McNiff added, "We had to continually remind our players to stay focused and stay on the course. Chicago is a great team and I am incredibly proud of how we played today."

Up next

The Pioneers will return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 19 on Bo Ryan Court when they host No. 4 Wartburg with game time set for 7 p.m.