Pioneers raise over $1,600 at Think Pink game

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (12-12, 4-9 WIAC) fell 65-47 to UW-Eau Claire (16-8, 10-3 WIAC) on Wednesday night on Bo Ryan Court. The Pioneers in collaboration with the Grant County Cancer Coalition raised over $1,600 for local cancer patients and families while the teams wore pink gear in recognition of the night's event cancer awareness game.

First half

• The Pioneers' slow start forced UW-Platteville to work uphill for the remainder of the game after UW-Eau Claire took a 12-0 lead to start.
• The Blugolds led 14-4 in between the first and second quarters and pulled away to a 27-8 lead with 5:54 left in the half.
• UW-Platteville chipped away and narrowed the nearly 20-point deficit to 12 points with 1:19 left in the second period.
• The Blugolds led 35-19 at the half.
• In the first half, the Pioneers shot 26.5% (9-of-34) from the floor and was 1-of-10 from three-point territory. The Blugolds shot 48.4% (15-of-31) from the field and were 55.6% (5-of-9) from behind the three-point arc.

Second half

• UW-Eau Claire continued to control the floor and saw its largest lead of 23 points at the 7:12 mark in the third quarter.
• The Pioneers put together a 14-5 run as the third period came to a close and UW-Platteville trailed  52-34 as one quarter remained.
• The Blugolds continued to hold a 20-point lead through the period and the game came to a close 65-47.
• UW-Platteville shot 31.4% (11-of-35) from the field while shooting 15.4% (2-of-13) from three-point range. UW-Eau Claire shot 42.3% (11-of-26) from the field and 57.1% (4-of-7) from behind the three-point arc.

Notables 

• UW-Platteville is now 12-12 overall and 4-9 in the WIAC.
• UW-Eau Claire improved to 16-8 overall and 10-3 in conference play and are currently second in the WIAC behind No. 4 UW-Whitewater.
• The Think Pink cancer awareness game raised over $1,600 for the Grant County Cancer Coalition. The event featured a jersey silent auction and a Miracle Minute between the first and second quarter that raised $341.
• Junior Maiah Domask had a team high 18 points and pulled down five rebounds.
• Sophomore Kaite Asche had a team high six boards.
• The Pioneers had 20 points from the reserves while UW-Eau Claire's bench totaled nine points.
• In all, UW-Platteville shot 29.0% (20-of-69) from the field with 13.0% (3-of-23) from three-point range. UW-Eau Claire shot 45.6% (26-of-57) from the field and was 56.3% (9-of-16) from behind the three-point arc.
• The Pioneers finished 57.1% (4-of-7) from the free throw line while the Blugolds were 66.7% (4-of-6). 

Remarks from Coach McNiff

After the game, head coach Kelly McNiff said, " UW-Eau Claire is an extremely good team; they came in here to put on a clinic. We were not good tonight. As a staff we could have coached better and as players we could have played better. Fortunately, goals that we set at the beginning of the season are still attainable. We have to forget about this dud of a performance and prepare for UW-Stevens Point on Saturday."

Up next

The Pioneers will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 22 against UW-Stevens Point for Senior Day on Bo Ryan Court with gametime set for 3 p.m. After Wednesday night's games, both UW-Platteville and UW-Stevens Point are 4-9 in the WIAC and will compete on Saturday for the sixth and final seed in the WIAC Tournament.