Domask fuels Pioneers in overtime victory at UW-Stevens Point

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (9-6, 1-3 WIAC) defeated UW-Stevens Point (7-8, 2-2 WIAC) 65-62 in overtime Wednesday night in Berg Gym. After a slow start, a big second quarter propelled the Pioneers into overtime, all while senior Maiah Domask recorded a fifth double-double of the season with a career high 26 points.

Notes from the Pioneers

After the team's first conference win, Domask said, "Heading into OT, it was 0-0 with a five-minute game on the line. We knew we needed to start with big defensive stops and then capitalize on the offensive end." Domask went on to say, "Obviously playing in an overtime game is nerve wracking, but I knew that my team needed me to step up and everyone did what they needed to grind it out to the end."

First half

• The Pioneers were slow to start with the Pointers taking a 6-0 lead until Domask's layup at the 3:15 mark put UW-Platteville on the board.  
• Trailing 15-6 at the quarter, UW-Platteville went on a 22-3 run and led by 10 points with just one minute remaining in the half.
• The Pioneers led 29-20 at the half.
• Domask reached double digits with ten points in the first half.
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 33.3% (11-of-33) from the field while the Pointers finished the half shooting 36.4% (8-of-22).

Second half

• Both teams took to the court after the half with a surge of energy with UW-Stevens Point dishing out 20 points to UW-Platteville's 14 points.
• Domask went 5-of-8 from the field and dished out 10 of the Pioneers' 14 points.
• UW-Platteville's first half lead was scaled down to three points with one quarter left in regulation.
• The Pioneers led by as much as five points in the fourth quarter, but the Pointers had tied the game 50-50 with 2:24 left in the half.
• Senior Morgan Hostman went up for two in the paint with 1:48 left and an offensive rebound by sophomore Kaite Asche gave it back to Horstman who shot again to give the Pioneers a 52-50 lead.
• UW-Steven's Points Taylor Greenheck broke away after a steal to tie the game back up 52-52 with 1:04 remaining.
• The Pioneers' missed jumper at the buzzer sent the game into overtime with the teams locked 52-52.
• UW-Platteville shot 33.3% (10-of-30) from the field while the Pointers shot 40.7% (11-of-27) from the field.

Overtime

• A foul against Horstman on a made layup was followed by a successful free throw and jump shot by Domask to give the Pioneers a 57-52 lead with 3:06 remaining.
• UW-Stevens Point tied the game 57-57 with 1:17 remaining and six lead changes and two ties followed before the Pioneers reclaimed the lead for the last time 63-62 with 00:13 remaining off a made layup by Domask from junior Jai Clemons.
• The Pointers' missed jump shot with 00:05 remaining was snagged by Domask and a foul on Greenheck drawn by Horstman with 00:02 on the clock gave the Pioneers the chance to make it a three-point game.
• Horstman dropped in both free throws and a missed Pointer three-point attempt at the buzzer gave the Pioneers the 65-62 overtime victory.
• The Pioneers shot 83.3% (5-of-6) from the field and held the Pointers to just 25.0% (2-of-8).

Notables 

• UW-Platteville is 9-6 overall and 1-3 in the WIAC.
• UW-Stevens Point fell to 7-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
• Domask had a career high and team high 26 points and pulled down 11 boards with two steals, and one assist.
• Horstman had a strong night with 16 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals.
• Senior Rachel Emendorfer led the Pioneers with eight steals.  
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 37.7% (26-of-63) from the field and made just 1-of-13 from three-point territory. UW-Stevens Point shot 36.8% (21-of-57) from the field and dropped in 2-of-12 from behind the three-point arc.
• The Pioneers finished 52.2% (12-of-23) from the free throw line while the Pointers shot 81.8% (18-of-22). 

Remarks from Coach McNiff

After her first career conference win, head coach Kelly McNiff said, "This was a total team effort tonight. Maiah was obviously a force, but we had key contributions from a number of players. Erin McGrath came in and played good defense and had a timely basket. Aspyn Stewart hit two big free-throws at the end of the third quarter. Jai had a big three early on. Everyone that got on the floor made at least one big play and the overall bench energy was awesome."

Up next

The Pioneers return home on Saturday, Jan. 18 when the UW-La Crosse Eagles roll into town with game time set for 3 p.m. on Bo Ryan Court.