Pioneers Propel Past Eagles in Second Half

LA CROSSE, Wis. –The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (9-6, 2-2 WIAC) used a third quarter 10-0 run to pull ahead for good Saturday afternoon in the Pioneers 75-67 win over UW-La Crosse (9-6, 2-2 WIAC). 

Sophomore Ella Mackiewicz scored a game-high 22 points while senior Sarah Mueller also hit the 20-point threshold in the victory at Mitchell Hall. 

UW-Platteville pulled ahead 10-2 three minutes into the game, but the Eagles used a 12-4 run of their own to lock the score 14-14 at the quarter break. The game remained close as the teams exchanged the lead four times and saw six ties in the second quarter with UW-La Crosse finishing the half with a slim 34-33 advantage. 

In the third quarter, a Mackiewicz layup concluded the Pioneers' 10-point run, leaving the Pioneers with a 49-38 lead at the 3:35 mark. The Eagles managed to get back within four points by the quarter break. Three consecutive layups by Mackiewicz followed by baskets from juniors Barb Kling and Brynlee Nelson and another two points by Mackiewicz gave the Pioneers a 13-point advantage, their largest lead of the night with seven minutes left in regulation. UW-Platteville finished strong and led by at least five for the remainder of the game. 

Mackiewicz's 22 points and seven rebounds paced the Pioneers. Mueller put up 20 and Nelson also reached double digits with 12 points while tying sophomore Madalyn Reichmann with three assists. The Pioneers shot 44.1 percent (26-of-59) and 23.8 percent (5-of-21) from beyond the arc. Most notably, UW-Platteville shot 60 percent (9-of-15) from the field in the fourth quarter. 

Four Eagles reached double digits with Kailee Meeker scoring a team-high 17 points. UW-La Crosse shot 45.2 percent (28-of-62) and 23.5 percent (4-of-17) from three-point territory. 

The Pioneers will return to action on Wednesday, January 17 when they host UW-Whitewater at 7 p.m. on Bo Ryan Court. All youth (18 and under) receive free admission to the game. 

*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.