Pioneers drop road game to No. 23 Eagles after slow second half

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (11-9, 3-6 WIAC) dropped Wednesday night's game 76-50 at No. 23 UW-La Crosse (15-5, 6-3 WIAC) in Mitchell Hall. After leading 31-29 at the half, UW-La Crosse used a 13-2 run to take the lead in the third quarter and led for the remainder of the game.

First half

• Neither team led by more than six points in the half while the teams exchanged the lead seven times.
• The Eagles led 19-17 with 00:21 remaining in the first quarter, but sophomore Kaite Asche fired off a three-pointer at the buzzer with an assist from senior Rachel Emendorfer to take the lead 20-19 going into the second quarter.
• The Pioneers went on a 9-4 run to open the quarter while the Eagles closed in on the Pioneers lead, 31-29 with 4:04 remaining. After both teams went scoreless, the Pioneers' 31-29 lead took the teams into halftime. 
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 38.7% (12-of-31) from the field and was 26.6% (4-of-15) from three-point territory. The Eagles shot 46.4% (13-of-28) from the floor and were 12.5% (1-of-8) from behind the three-point arc.

Second half

• Two layups to start the half gave UW-La Crosse a 33-31 lead, but Emendorfer's layup tied the game back up 33-33 with 8:04 left in the third quarter.
• The Eagles went on a 13-2 run and led 46-35 with 2:54 left in the period. The teams ended the third quarter with UW-La Crosse holding a ten point lead, 53-43.
• While the Pioneers were plagued by 10 turnovers in the fourth quarter, the Eagles dished out 23 points to UW-Platteville's seven to secure the 76-50 conference win.
• UW-Platteville shot 28.0% (7-of-25) from the floor while shooting 20.0% (1-of-5) from three-point range. UW-La Crosse closed the half shooting 58.8% (20-of-34) from the field and 37.5% (3-of-8) from behind the three-point arc.

Notables 

• UW-Platteville falls to 11-9 overall and 3-6 in the WIAC.
• No. 23 UW-La Crosse improves to 15-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play.
• The Pioneers first responders dished out 30 points to the Eagles' 23 points from the bench.
• The night saw seven lead changes and five ties.
• The Eagles had 27 points off 20 Pioneer turnovers while UW-Platteville gained 12 points off 15 UW-La Crosse turnovers.
• Junior Maiah Domask had a team highs of 12 points with six boards, and three steals with two assists.
• Junior Jai Clemons hit double digits with 10 points and two rebounds.
• Asche had nine points and one rebound with two steals.
• Overall, UW-Platteville shot 33.9% (19-of-56) from the field with 25.0% (5-of-20) from three-point territory. UW-La Crosse concluded the night shooting 53.2% (33-of-62) from the field and was 25.0% (4-of-16) from behind the three-point arc.
• The Pioneers finished 58.3% (7-of-12) from the free throw line while the Eagles were 60.0% (6-of-10). 

Up next

The Pioneers return home on Saturday, February 8 at 3 p.m. on Bo Ryan Court when UW-Stout rolls into town on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.