Pioneers fall to Dennison in OT on day one of the Puerto Rico Classico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Dennison (Ohio) University Big Red outscored the University of Wisconsin–Platteville 11–3 in overtime to defeat coach Megan Wilson's Pioneers 61–53 Wednesday on the first day of the Puerto Rico Classico.

UW–Platteville (3–7) led by as many as seven points at 49–42 with 2:43 left in regulation after a pair of free throws by senior guard Morgan Hartman (Rochester, Minn.), but couldn't put the game away.

Junior forward Kassie Hansen (La Crosse) split a pair of free throws with 1:39 left to make it 50–47, but Dennison's Addies Buzas answered with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to make it a three-point game. Then with nine seconds left Dennison sophomore guard Valesha Province's buried a game-tying 3-pointer to send the game to overtime.

The Pioneers never got of a final shot in regulation.

UW–Platteville won the tip in overtime, but misfired on the first possession and the Big Red went on a 6–0 run. Senior forward Erica Holmes made a jump shot. After another Platteville miss, senior forward Jordan Holmes scored inside with four minutes remaining. The Pioneers misfired again, and Emily Krumpe's jump shot gave Dennison a 56–50 lead with 3:34 left.

Sophomore forward Lexis Macomber (Lanark, Ill.) ended UW–Platteville's five-minute scoring drought with a free throw with 1:50 left in OT to cut the deficit to five points.

The Pioneers were forced to foul and Alison Schafer made a pair of free throws and Province made 3 of 4 on from the line in the final 38 seconds to close out the game.

Holmes finished with a game-high 21 points and 25 rebounds to lead Dennison (5–7). Province scored eight points for the winners.

Sophomore Morgan Horstman (Bangor) had a team-high 18 points and three rebounds to lead the Pioneers in defeat. Hartman finished with nine points, seven rebounds and two steals in the loss.

UW–Platteville will face Rivier University (N.H.) (3–5) to close out the two-day event on Thursday morning before returning to the states on Saturday. The Pioneers will open WIAC play Wednesday, Jan. 4 at home against UW–Stout (3–6).

By Jason Nihles, UW–Platteville Athletics