Pioneers cruise past Lakeland, 78-40

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (7-2, 0-0 WIAC) cruised past Lakeland University (3-7, 3-2 NACC), 78-40, Friday night on Bo Ryan Court. During Youth Night in Williams Fieldhouse, the Pioneers defeated the Muskies in their final non-conference home game of the season and teamed with Go4TheGoal Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting those battling pediatric cancer. Both teams wore yellow shoe laces and the fans raised $578 for Go4TheGoal as junior Maiah Domask recorded her second straight double-double.

Notes from the Pioneers

Junior Jai Clemons said, "When we scouted Lakeland we knew they were going to play zone the whole game, so I knew I had to be 'shot ready' and shoot with confidence." Clemon's strategy paid off as she had a stellar stellar night in three-point territory and finished 4-of-7 including 3-of-3 in the first half.

The Pioneers held Megan Will of Lakeland to just eight points and four rebounds in the game after she entered Friday averaging 15.9 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. When asked what the key was to slowing Will, senior Maddy Williams said, "All week while preparing to play Lakeland, coaches had us focus on meeting her early and work hard at standing our ground when she did get into the paint. We wanted to make her uncomfortable and force her to pass the ball back out." Williams added, "It was important for me to get low and use leverage when going against a player of her size."

First half

• The Pioneers were quick to jump into a 13-3 lead in the first eight minutes of the game and UW-Platteville shot 71.4% (10-of-14) from the field in the first quarter to Lakeland's 33.3% (3-of-9).
• Clemons was a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the three-point arc in the first quarter.
• The Pioneers led 24-9 to start the second quarter, went on a 21-10 run, and finish the period at 62.5% (10-of-16) from the field while the Muskies were 29.4% (5-of-17) in the quarter.
• UW-Platteville led Lakeland 47-21 going into halftime.
• The Pioneers shot 66.7% (20-of-30) from the field and 44.4% (4-of-9) from three-point territory.  The Muskies finished the half shooting 30.8% (8-of-26) from the field and 30.0% (3-of-10) from the three-point line.

Second half

• UW-Platteville outshot Lakeland in the third quarter 23-11 and finished the period 69.2% (9-of-13) from the field and 50% (3-of-6) from the three-point arc. Lakeland shot 33.3% (4-of-12).
• The Pioneers led the Muskies 70-40 going into the final period of play.
• Both teams tacked on eight points apiece in the final stretch of the game.
• The Pioneers' largest lead of the game fell in the fourth quarter as UW-Platteville led 74-33.
• In the half, the Pioneers shot 46.2% (12-of-26) from the field and went 27.3% (3-of-11) from behind the three-point line. Lakeland shot 28.6% (6-of-21) from the field and failed to make one of five attempts from three-point territory.

Notables 

• UW-Platteville is 7-2 overall this season.
• Lakeland fell to 3-7 overall and is 3-2 in conference play.
• During the Go4TheGoal cause game supporting those battling pediatric cancer, the efforts generated $578. To make a donation online, visit: https://donate.go4thegoal.org/team/268580  
• The Pioneers out-rebounded the Muskies 43-16.
• The Pioneers never trailed in the game and had as large as a 41-point lead over the Muskies.
• UW-Platteville recorded 37 points off the bench and saw 15 Pioneers take to the court.
• Domask recorded her second straight double-double and led the Pioneers with 19 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Domask was 9-of-11 from the field.
• Clemons dished out a career high 12 points, finished 4-of-7 from the three-point line, claimed three boards, and added two steals.
• Sophomore Malorie Johnson also finished with a career best nine points.
• Senior Rachel Emendorfer led the Pioneers with three steals and six assists while also tallying five rebounds.
• UW-Platteville shot 57.1% (32-of-56) from the field and 35% (7-of-20) from behind the three-point arc. Lakeland finished 29.8% (14-of-47) from the field and 20% (3-of-15) from the three-point line.
• The Pioneers were 46.7% (7-of-15) from the free throw line while the Muskies shot 75% (9-of-12). 

Remarks from Coach McNiff

When asked what the keys were to coming out strong in Friday's game after a loss in the last game, head coach Kelly McNiff said, "Preparation and confidence were definitely keys going into tonight's game." McNiff added, "Zone defenses invite outside shooting, but we wanted to make sure we stuck to our 'inside-out' philosophy. We put in a few new wrinkles early this week and our players answered the bell by being focused and executing what we worked on."  

Up next

The Pioneers will cross the Mississippi River to Dubuque, Iowa for the Loras Holiday Tournament. The first game is set for 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29 against Lawrence University with the second game determined after the completion of game one.