Women's Basketball Drops Season Finale to UW-Eau Claire

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Despite a career-high night from sophomore Alyssa Krajco, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville fell to UW-Eau Claire, 77-68, in the Pioneers' season finale on Wednesday in the Williams Fieldhouse. 

Krajco went 8-12 from the field for a career-best 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Senior Elizabeth Lawinger scored 15 points with three steals and three assists in her final game in the Orange and Blue. The Mineral Point, Wis., native ends her stellar career as the Pioneers all-time steals leader (219) to go with her 900 points and 295 assists. Fellow seniors McKenzie Forseth and Claire Poad also ended their careers on a high note with Forseth netting 12 points and Poad scoring 10. Poad concluded her career ranked second on the all-time steals list with 195 and recorded 891 points and 166 assists. 

The Blugolds had three players combine for 61 of their 77 points with Courtney Lewis scoring a game-high 28 points. Sarah Bingea was a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line for her 18 points and Leah Rempert finished with 15 points.

UW-Eau Claire never allowed the Pioneers to lead and took a 21-8 lead with 11:33 left in the half. UW-Platteville to cut its deficit to a manageable nine points, 36-27, at halftime.

Kim Wellnitz converted a three-point play, putting the Pioneers within one, 42-41, but the Blugolds responded with a 17-4 run pushing their lead to 14 points, 59-45, with just over seven minutes to play.  The Pioneers bounced right back with a 13-2 run and trailed 61-58 with just under five minutes left to play. UWEC pushed its lead back to three possessions and never allowed the Pioneers to get with two possessions; taking home the 77-68 victory. 

The Pioneers end their season ninth in the WIAC with a 1-15 league record and a 5-20 overall mark.