#10 Warhawks Pull Away Late

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team played even with Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference leader University of Wisconsin-Whitewater until late in the fourth quarter before the Warhawks closed out the game on an 11-2 run to secure a 62-53 victory Wednesday night in Platteville.  The loss dropped the Pioneers overall record to 9-5 (2-2 in the WIAC) while Whitewater, ranked #8 in the most recent d3hoop.com "Top 25", improved to 14-1 (5-0 in the WIAC).

The game promised to be a classic WIAC battle as both programs came in holding opponents under 60 points per contest.  And that was exactly how it played out, with players on both sides throwing their bodies everywhere; diving for loose balls, racing for long rebounds, and taking charges.  The result was a game that featured 13 lead changes, 11 ties, and neither team able to build a lead of more than 5 points until Platteville was forced to foul in the closing minutes.

Platteville came out of the gates ready to match the physicality of a bigger Warhawk squad.  Forwards Maiah Domask (Sr./Waupun, Wis.) and Taylor Gilbert (Sr./Kingston, Ill.) combined to score 11 points in the first quarter helping the Pioneers reach the first break with a 19-18 advantage.  As a team, Platteville shot 6-12 FG including 3-4 3pt FG.

The Warhawks counter-punched in the second by picking up full court with its pressure defense.  The Pioneers struggled to adjust, turning the ball over seven times.  The team's shooting cooled off as well, making just 2-10 FG.  While Platteville could only manage nine points in the 2nd, its defense continued to answer the call, holding Whitewater to just 3-13 FG shooting of its own and keeping the contest a one possession game heading into halftime, 30-28.

The third quarter saw much of the same from the two teams with neither able to build more than a two-point lead in the quarter.  Domask and Gilbert hit layups to get things started giving the Pioneers a 32-30 lead.  The Pioneers and Warhawks traded the next seven baskets leading to a 38-38 tie at the media timeout with 4:00 remaining.  A Veronica Kieres steal and layup at the 2:330 mark gave UWW its first lead since coming out of the half but a Sarah Mueller (So./Stevens Point, Wis.) three the next time down the court immediately put the Pioneers back on top, 41-40.  Whitewater however, answered with a three of its own when a Kacie Carollo jumper from the left wing, bounced on the rim three times before falling through to give the Warhawks back its two point advantage.  Pioneer rookie Barb Kling (Fr./New Richmond, Wis.) ended the flurry of scoring with a short jumper in the paint to take the teams to the fourth quarter even, 43-43.

The teams continued to jockey for control in the fourth.  A Mueller layup followed by a defensive rebound gave the Pioneers the ball with a 49-45 lead.  Platteville was unable to convert on the possession and Whitewater controlled the rebound.  On the other end, an offensive rebound and putback began a quick 6-0 run as the Warhawks once again built some momentum when it looked like the Pioneers were primed to pull away.  After an Allison Heckert (Sr./Whitewater, Wis.) jumper tied the game at 51 apiece, Whitewater grabbed the lead for good.  After an errant Pioneer pass led to a turnover with 3:58 remaining, one of 21 for the game for Platteville, Whitewater brought the ball up the court and worked it around until Yssa Sto. Domingo hit a three pointer from the left wing.  Another turnover on the next posssession followed by a layup from UWW center Johanna Taylor and Whitewater had its biggest lead of the game, 56-51 with 1:29 remaining.  The Warhawks hit 6-8 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Whitewater held a huge advantage in transition scoring, outpacing Platteville 16-0 in Fast Break Points.

Domask led the Pioneers with 22 points while also pulling down 12 rebounds.

The two teams will meet again Wednesday, February 9th when the Pioneers travel to Whitewater.

Platteville will return to WIAC action this Saturday, January 15th, when the team travels to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for a 3p game.  It will be the first meeting between the two programs this season.