Loras pulls away to beat Pioneers 80-69

UW-Platteville kept charging at Loras College, but the host Duhawks held off the Pioneers 80-69 Saturday night in Dubuque, Iowa.

Kassie Buchholz poured in 21 points, knocking down 7-9 from the field, including 5-6 from beyond the three-point line to lead the Pioneers. Blaire Lutes and Allison Prestegaard added 10 apiece for UW-Platteville, which fell to 4-5. Addie Oberman scored 19, and Marissa Schroeder 17 for Loras, which is now 5-4;

Loras led 21-14 after one period, and the Pioneers sliced the lead to 36-34 at the break. UW-Platteville was within 55-52 on Jai Clemons' basket with 1:07 to play in the third quarter, but Hanna Stokes bookended the period break with four free throws, and Schroeder added a basket for a 61-52 Duhawk advantage. Loras then held the Pioneers in check and added three more field goals to complete a 14-0 run for a 69-52 lead. 

The Pioneers take a break for finals and the holiday before taking a trip to St. Louis. Coach Megan Wilson's team plays at Fontbonne (Dec. 29 at 6 p.m.) and at 24th-ranked Wash U. (Dec. 30 at 2 p.m.)

By Paul Erickson, Director, UW-Platteville Communications, 608.342.1194, pr@uwplatt.edu