Pioneers edged by No. 18 UW-La Crosse

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (9-7, 1-4 WIAC) was edged 53-48 by No. 18 nationally ranked UW-La Crosse (12-4, 3-2 WIAC) Saturday afternoon on Bo Ryan Court. In the all-around defensive day, the Eagles success outside over the Pioneers from three-point territory secured the win while junior Maiah Domask recorded a sixth double-double of the season.

First half

• The Pioneers struck first and garnered a lead by as much as four before the teams locked at 11 points apiece to go into the second quarter.
• The last lead change of the half came at 8:07 when UW-La Crosse claimed the lead 16-14.
• Neither team led by more than four points in the first half and the Eagles went into halftime holding a slight 22-19 lead over the Pioneers.   
• Domask and senior Morgan Horstman accounted for 16 of the Pioneers 19 first half points.
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 21.4% (6-of-28) from the field while the Eagles shot 32.1% (9-of-28) from the field and dished out 5-of-12 (41.7%) three-point attempts.

Second half

• The Eagles managed to take to the court and pull away by as much as 11 points in the third quarter by the 3:58 mark and that would be the largest deficit of the game.  
• The Pioneers finished the quarter with a 7-1 run that began with a timely three-pointer by junior Jai Clemons at 2:35.
• UW-Platteville pulled within five points, 39-34, to start the final period of play.
• Sophomore Allison Heckert emptied the bench with another big three-pointer at the 8:29 mark and the Pioneers trailed just 41-39.
• The Pioneers would get within one point twice, but after a made Domask layup to draw the score to 49-48 at the 00:10 mark, the Eagles called time-out to advance and sealed the fate of the game with two Pioneer fouls and four successful free throws to close the game 53-48.
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 36.4% (12-of-33) from the field while UW-La Crosse shot 34.6% (9-of-26) from the field.

Notables 

• UW-Platteville is 9-7 overall and 1-4 in the WIAC.
• UW-La Crosse improved to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
• Domask recorded a second straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
• Horstman dished out 13 points, three boards, one assist, and one steal.
• Heckert had a team high five assists along with seven points and three rebounds.
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 29.5% (18-of-61) from the field with 8.7% (2-of-23) from three-point territory. UW-La Crosse shot 33.3% (18-of-54) from the field and dished out 8-of-19 (42.1%) from behind the three-point arc.
• The Pioneers finished 71.4% (10-of-14) from the free throw line while the Eagles shot 75.0% (9-of-12). 

Remarks from Coach McNiff

After the close game, head coach Kelly McNiff said, "Today our defense, for the majority of the game, gave us a chance to beat a ranked opponent. However, when we are struggling to the put the ball in the hoop, the handful of defensive breakdowns become absolutely magnified. While I want to be incredibly proud of our defensive effort today, that effort is overshadowed by our lack of offensive execution. We aren't going to win many more games, if any, scoring less than 50 points. We have to be better on the offensive end; we have to be able to knock down open shots." 

Up next

The Pioneers hit the road on Wednesday, Jan. 22 for No. 6 UW-Whitewater with game time set for 7 p.m.