Pioneers Down Sabres To Begin Season

HOLLAND, Mich. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team opened the 2023-2024 season with a 72-45 win over Marian (Wis.) at the Hope College Tip-Off Tournament inside the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland, Michigan.

The Pioneers held a 23-17 lead after one quarter as both teams were efficient shooting the basketball. Senior Sarah Mueller and sophomore Ella Mackiewicz each scored six points in the opening frame to pace UW-Platteville.

In the second quarter, the Pioneers defense held Marian to just 1-of-14 from the floor to pull ahead 41-24 at the break. A nine-point run highlighted the quarter for UW-Platteville with sophomore Madalyn Reichmann starting the stretch with a three-pointer.

Marian scored the first bucket of the second half, but the Pioneers netted seven straight to push the lead to 21 at 48-27. The lead remained at 20 at the end of the third quarter as UW-Platteville sat in front 57-37. In the final 10 minutes, the Pioneers managed to stretch the lead up to 29 in the final 30 seconds and later won 72-45.

Mueller paced the team with 14 points and eight rebounds while going 5-of-8 from the field. Mackiewicz also reached double figures with 12 points. The Pioneers shot 40.8 percent (29-of-71) from the floor in the win.

UW-Platteville's defense forced 24 Sabres turnovers, including 15 steals, that directly led to 22 points for the Pioneers. Sophomore Alexis Strom led the team with four steals, while Reichmann tallied three. Marian also shot just 25.9 percent (14-of-54) in the contest.

The Pioneers were strong on the glass as they outrebounded Marian 49-38 including 16-8 on the offensive glass.

UW-Platteville continues play in Holland with a matchup against host school Hope tomorrow at noon.

*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.