Pioneers defeat Lawrence in game one of Loras Holiday Tournament

DUBUQUE, Iowa. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (8-2, 0-0 WIAC) defeated Lawrence University (4-4, 1-1 MAC), 74-56 in game one of the Loras College Holiday Tournament. Loras College and North Park University make up the two remaining teams in the two-day tournament. 

Notes from the Pioneers

When asked about the multiple scoring spurts throughout the Sunday afternoon game, senior Morgan Horstman said, "We need to keep focusing on moving the ball and getting inside-out touches." Horstman went on to say, "We need to keep being aggressive and attacking the hoop, looking to kick out when needed, and make the most out of each possession. We looked to push the ball a little more in transition in the first half giving us some momentum."

First half

• The Vikings scored first, but the Pioneers outshot Lawrence 23-7 including a 14 point run to lead 29-13 going into the second period.
• The Pioneers shot a stellar 85.7% (12-of-14) from the field in the first quarter with senior Maddy Williams (2-of-2), sophomore Allison Heckert (3-of-3), Horstman (3-of-3), and sophomore Kaite Asche (2-of-2) all shooting perfect from the field.
• The Pioneers held a 24-point lead in the second quarter and added 20 points to the Viking's 13.
• UW-Platteville led 49-26 going into halftime.
• Overall, the Pioneers shot 70.0% (21-of-30) from the field and 60.0% (3-of-5) from the three-point arc.  Lawrence finished the half at 30.3% (10-of-33) from the field and 18.2% (2-of-11) from three-point territory.

Second half

• Lawrence's adjustments after the half paid off and the Vikings outshot the Pioneers 17-13 in the third quarter to reduce the lead to a margin of 19 points, 62-43.
• The two teams went back and forth in the fourth quarter with Lawrence holding a slight edge, 13-12 in the period. 
• In the second half, UW-Platteville shot 35.7% (10-of-28) from the field and 7.7% (1-of-13) from three-point territory. Lawrence shot 40.7% (11-of-27) from the field and 8.3% (1-of-12) from the three point arc.

Notables 

• UW-Platteville improved to 8-2 overall this season.
• Lawrence fell to 4-4 overall and is 1-1 in conference play.
• Horstman had a team high 14 points in addition to three rebounds and two assists.
• Junior Maiah Domask pulled down a team high nine rebounds and tacked on 12 points and two assists.
• Asche recorded a career high eight points in Sunday's game.
• UW-Platteville shot 53.4% (31-of-58) from the field and 22.2% (4-of-18) from behind the three-point arc. Lawrence shot 35.0% (21-of-60) from the field and 13.0% (3-of-23) from three-point territory.
• The Pioneers finished 57.1% (8-of-14) from the free throw line while the Vikings shot 78.6% (11-of-14). 

Remarks from Coach McNiff

Regarding the quick start out of the gate, head coach Kelly McNiff said, "Today's first quarter was a thing of beauty. We had great ball movement and a healthy balance of inside-out plays." Later in the game, McNiff said, "Lawrence made some good adjustments and got us to go away from what was working. Overall it was a good game coming out of the holiday break."

Up next

The Pioneers move to the championship game and are set to play game two winner and host of the tournament, No. 23 Loras College, on Monday at 4 p.m. on Lillis Court.