Pointers Outlast Pioneers, 75-65

STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- For the second straight game, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team had a close game get away from them in the fourth quarter.  Earlier in the week, the Pioneers entered the final quarter against Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival University of Wisconsin-Whitewater tied at 43-43 before ultimately succumbing to the Warhawks, 62-53.  On Saturday afternoon at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Platteville found itself with a 52-51 lead after three over the host Pointers.  Once again however, the Pioneers could not quite finish as UWSP outscored Platteville 24-13 the rest of the way en route to a 75-65 win.  The loss dropped the Pioneers to 9-6 overall on the season and 2-3 in the WIAC.  Stevens Point moved to 9-4 overall and 2-2 in the WIAC.

The two teams played even through the first half, heading to the locker room knotted at 29 apiece.  The Pioneers shot the ball well going 13-26 (50%) but were unable to put any space between themselves and their hosts due largely to an inability to take care of the ball.  Eleven first half turnovers, many of the "unforced" variety, led to eight Pointers points and kept SP in the game despite shooting just 36% FG.

The second half began in a similar fashion for the Pioneers as Platteville turned the ball over in its first two possessions.  The rest of the quarter became a battle of "3"s with the Pointers hitting from long distance three times while Platteville went the traditional route, notching three "and one" three point plays.  A late 6-1 run to close out the quarter allowed the Pioneers to re-take the lead, 52-51 heading into the fourth.

UWSP took control in the first 3:00 of the fourth quarter.  The Pointers went on a 9-2 run in that time, taking advantage of two more Pioneer turnovers.  Stevens Point did not trail the rest of way.

SP guard Taylor Greenheck scored 18 points to lead a quartet of Pointers that finished in double figures.  The Pioneers were led in scoring by Maiah Domask's (Sr./Waupun, Wis.) 23 points.

In a contest that featured a WIAC season-high 48 fouls called and 58 total free throws, Stevens Point rode a 27-11 advantage at the charity stripe to victory.

Platteville will look to get back into the win column next Wednesday, January 19th, when they travel to take on UW-Oshkosh.  That match-up with the Titans is slated to begin at 7p.