Pioneers Fall To Bethany Lutheran Saturday

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (1-4) jumped out to a large early lead, but the Bethany Lutheran Vikings (1-4) were able to complete the comeback as the Pioneers fell 76-71 at home on Saturday night inside the Williams Fieldhouse.

The Pioneers raced out to a 25-5 lead in the opening quarter behind a 20-point run spanning five minutes. Freshman Ella Mackiewicz started fast for UW-Platteville, scoring 10 points in the first quarter on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting and a pair of makes from three. The Pioneers led 27-12 at the end of the quarter behind a shooting percentage of 73.3 percent (11-of-15) including 83.3 percent (5-of-6) from deep. Bethany Lutheran got back within nine late in the second quarter, but the Pioneers extended the lead back to 10 at 41-31 entering the break.

Coming out of halftime, the Vikings scored the first eight points of the third quarter to force a Pioneers timeout. UW-Platteville maintained a slim lead for most of the quarter, but Bethany Lutheran tied the game at 50 and later took a three-point lead on a triple with 1:25 left in the frame. The Pioneers kept the game close throughout the fourth, even getting within one- or two-points multiple times, but the Vikings answered each bucket with one of their own. Bethany Lutheran closed the game at the free throw line to clinch a 76-71 win.

Mackiewicz scored a career-high 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting while also grabbing five rebounds. Sophomore Brynlee Nelson (17 points) and junior Sarah Mueller (16) each reached double figures as well. Mueller grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, while senior Allison Heckert dished out a team-best eight assists. UW-Platteville finished the day shooting 46.7 percent (28-of-60) and 32.0 percent (8-of-25) from beyond the arc.

Four Vikings reached double figures, led by 14 points by Sara Kottke off the bench. Taryn Christensen finished with a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Bethany Lutheran shot 45.6 percent (26-of-57) and 35.7 percent (10-of-28) from deep. The Vikings were strong from the free throw line in the closing quarter, shooting 76.5 percent (13-of-17).

The Pioneers travel to UW-La Crosse for a pair of games next weekend at the UW-La Crosse Thanksgiving Classic. The team faces MSOE on Friday at 5 p.m. before competing against UW-Superior on Saturday at 1 p.m.