Pioneers fall on road to Blugolds

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (8-6, 0-3 WIAC) fell 73-58 at UW-Eau Claire (7-6, 2-1 WIAC) Saturday afternoon in Zorn Arena. After an exciting first half, the Pioneers led by a narrow margin of four, but a 17-3 streak early in the third quarter allowed the Blugolds to pull away in the second half for the win.  

First half

• The Pioneers were slow out of the start gates with UW-Eau Claire taking a 14-4 lead with 3:54 remaining in the first quarter, but the Pioneers went on to pull within four before the end of the period. 
• By less than two minutes into the third quarter, the Pioneers had taken the lead and held it for the remainder of the half.
• UW-Platteville's second quarter surge included shooting 5-of-8 from three-point territory with senior Morgan Horstman shooting 75.0% (3-of-4) from the field including 2-of-2 from three-point range. 
• The Pioneers led 33-29 over the Blugolds at halftime. 
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 44.8% (13-of-29) from the field while UW-Eau Claire finished the half shooting 42.3% (11-of-26).

Second half

• The Pioneers started the second half extending their lead to 40-32, but a 17-3 Blugold run closed out the quarter and UW-Eau Claire led 49-43 with one quarter remaining. 
• The Pioneers never got within more than eight in the fourth quarter.
• UW-Eau Claire shot 83.3% (5-of-6) from three-point territory in the half. 
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 40.0% (10-of-25) from the field while the Blugolds shot 53.6% (15-of-28) from the field.

Notables 

• UW-Platteville is 8-6 overall and 0-3 in the WIAC.
• UW-Eau Claire improved to 7-6 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
• The Pioneers dropped in eight three-point baskets, the most for the Pioneers in 32 games.
• Horstman led the Pioneers with 13 points and four assists while also tallying three rebounds and one block.  
• Junior Maiah Domask led the Pioneers with six boards and added eight points, two assists, and one steel. 
• Sophomore Kaite Asche contributed nine points in the Pioneer's first career start.
• The Blugolds' bench tacked on 37 points while the UW-Platteville's reserves added 19 points. 
• The Pioneers' largest lead of nine fell in the second quarter while UW-Eau Claire reached a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter. 
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 42.6% (23-of-54) from the field and 38.1% (8-of-21) from three-point territory. UW-Eau Claire shot 48.1% (26-of-54) from the field and 46.7% (7-of-15) from behind the three-point arc.
• The Pioneers finished 66.7% (4-of-6) from the free throw line while the Blugolds shot an striking 93.3% (14-of-15). 

Up next

The Pioneers hit the road again on Wednesday, Jan. 15 for UW-Stevens Point with tip off scheduled for 7 p.m.