Pioneers tie single-game scoring mark in win over Rivier at Puerto Rico Classcio

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The University of Wisconsin–Platteville women's basketball team picked up its fourth win of the season with a record-setting 104–64 victory over the Rivier University (N.H.) Raiders Thursday morning in the second game of the Division III Puerto Rico Classico.

The 104 points tied a UW–Platteville record, initially set in a victory over Upper Iowa on Nov. 29, 1983.

It was a track meet from the opening tip as the Pioneers scored 34 points in the opening quarter to build a 13-point lead.

Sophomore guard Morgan Horstman (Bangor) scored 11 of her team-high 17 points in the first six minutes to stake UW–Platteville to an early 17–11 lead.

The Pioneers continued filling it up in the second quarter, making 12 of 16 from the field, while outscoring the Raiders 26–13 in the period to build a 60–34 halftime advantage. The second half was more of the same UW–Platteville pushed the lead to 36 points at the end of the third quarter, 84–48. All 14 Pioneers scored in the win and played at least eight minutes.

Horstman led four players in double figures with her 17 points and added two assists and two steals.

Sophomore forward Lexis Macomber (Lanark, Ill.) added 15 points and three boards, while sophomore center Allison Prestegaard (Amboy, Ill.) and junior guard Blaire Lutes (Shullsburg) each scored 12 points. Sophomore Kassie Hansen (La Crosse) contributed nine points and four rebounds, while sophomore Abby Luedtke (Larson/Winneconne) chipped in six points and a team-best eight rebounds.

Kaylee Kacavas scored a game-high 23 points and had grabbed seven rebounds to lead Rivier.

The Pioneers shot 50.6 percent (43 of 85) in the win, including 47 percent (9 of 19) from behind the 3-point line. They also outrebounded the Raiders 52–34 and hauled in 20 offensive rebounds, resulting in a 24–2 edge in second-chance points.

UW–Platteville improved to 4–7 on the season, while Rivier fell to 3–6. The Pioneers suffered a 61–53 overtime loss to Dennison (Ohio) University Wednesday in their opening game in San Juan.

The 104 points scored in Thursday's win is the most scored by any Pioneer team in coach Megan Wilson's seven years at the helm. UW–Platteville did score 90 points earlier this year in a 99–90 loss to Luther College on Nov. 22.

Coach Wilson's Pioneers (4–7) will return to action Wednesday, Jan. 4 when they open Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a home against UW–Stout (3–7). 

By Jason Nihles, UW–Platteville Athletics