Krajco and Clark guide Pioneers past Coe

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Alyssa Krajco and Stacy Clark led the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team past Coe College 68-65 on Saturday afternoon at Eby Fieldhouse.

Krajco recorded a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds, while Clark put together a 18-point, 8-rebound performance. Mykaela Brandt added 11 points as Taylor Lorbiecki orchestrated the Pioneer offense with eight assists.

With five lead changes and four ties, the Kohawks took a 34-32 lead into the half. The Pioneers held Coe to 39.4 percent from the field, but the Kohawks were able to make 7-of-17 from 3-point range to take a two-point advantage into the break.

The Pioneers and the Kohawks continued to go back and forth with nine lead changes and seven ties in the second half.

A jumper and layup by Clark gave the Pioneers a 66-63 lead with 1:54 left to play. On Coe's next possession, the Kohawks' Mickey Hansche made a layup to make it a one-point game.

After a Pioneer turnover with a minute to go, UW-Platteville managed to hold on to its slim lead, and a pair of free throws by Krajco pushed the Pioneers' lead back to three, 68-65, with 14 seconds to play.

UW-Platteville opted to put the Kohawks on the free throw line instead of allowing Coe to attempt a game-tying three-pointer. Coe's Aleena Hobbs missed the front end of a one-and-one and Krajco came up with the defensive rebound to seal the Pioneer victory.

UW-Platteville won't return to the hardwood until Saturday, Dec. 20 when the Pioneers travel to Ripon College.