Pioneers defeat Finlandia 78-44 in season opener

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team opened the 2019-20 season with a 78-44 win over Finlandia University (0-2) on Bo Ryan Court Sunday afternoon. Junior guard Maiah Domask led the way for the Pioneers dishing out 24 points in the home opener while first season head coach, Kelly McNiff recorded her first career victory against the Lions. 

First half

• The Pioneers raced out to an early 14-5 lead with a 7-0 run to end the first quarter.
• A 13-4 run at the end of the second quarter extended the lead to 32-16 at the half.
• The Pioneers shot 44.4% (12-of-27) from the field in the first half. 
• Domask tallied double digits by halftime with 14 points and shot 45.5% (5-for-11) from the field. 

Second half

• The Lions went cold to start the second half and the Pioneers held the Lions scoreless for six minutes in the third quarter. 
• Senior guard Rachel Emendorfer tallied three steals in a four-minute window of the third quarter.
• The Pioneers led 54-31 going into the fourth quarter and shot 72.7% (8-for-11) from the field.
• The Pioneers were 16-of-19 in free throws in the second half. 

Notables 

• This is the first season opener victory for the Pioneers since the 70-67 win over Loras College on Nov. 15, 2014.
• UW-Platteville improved to 1-0 on the season.
• Finlandia University fell to 0-2.
• The Pioneers tallied 19 points off 20 turnovers and outshot the Lions 40-16 in the paint. 
• UW-Platteville never trailed in Sunday's game with the largest lead of 34 coming at the end of the game.
• Reserves accounted for 31 of the Pioneers' 78 points. 
• Domask led the team scoring with 24 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and one assist. 
• Senior guard Morgan Horstman posted nine points, four rebounds, and one assist. 
• Junior guard Caitlyn Tipton had a team high 11 rebounds in addition to seven points and three assists. 
• Emendorfer led the Pioneers with six assists and five steals. 

Up Next

• The Pioneers will return to action when they hit the road on Tuesday, Nov. 12 for Concordia Wisconsin with tip-off set for 7 p.m.