Pioneer women fall at UW–Eau Claire, 72–65

EAU CLAIRE — Four Pioneers scored in double figures, but it wasn't enough to score a WIAC road win Wednesday night.

Anna Graaskamp and Arien Brennan posted double–doubles to lead host UW–Eau Claire to a 72–65 victory over UW–Platteville. The Blugolds used 17–6 second-quarter run to build a 38–24 halftime advantage they would not relinquish.

Coach Megan Wilson's Pioneers pulled within three points at 62–59 with just 3;28 left in the game on a free throw by Morgan Horstman. UW–Eau Claire answered with back-to-back jumpers by Graaskamp and Jenni LaCroix, then the Blugolds made six straight free throws in the final six free throws in the final 52 seconds to close out the seven-point win.

Hortsman finished with a team-high 15 points and six rebounds to lead the Pioneers, who fell to 6–16 on the season and 2–9 in the WIAC with their sixth straight loss. Sophomore forward Kassie Hansen added 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, and senior guard Morgan Hartman also scored 12 points for UW–Platteville. Sophomore Kassie Buchholz was the fourth Pioneer to reach double figures in scoring with 11 points.

Graaskamp finished with 16 points and 12 boards to lead UW–Eau Claire, which improved to 12–10, 6–5. Brennan had 12 points and 10 boards, and LaCroix and Bree Meier added 14 points apiece off the bench.

UW–Platteville will return to action Saturday at home against UW–Oshkosh at 3 p.m. The 14th-ranked Titans (20–2, 10–1 WIAC) defeated UW–La Crosse 71–64 Wednesday to earn their sixth straight win.

By Jason Nihles, UW–Platteville Athletics