Pioneers Dominate In Conference-Opening Win

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (4-4, 1-0 WIAC) cruised to a 60-35 road victory in its WIAC opener against UW-Oshkosh (6-1, 0-1 WIAC) on Wednesday night.

UW-Oshkosh started the game with seven straight points, but freshman Ella Mackiewicz scored the first seven points for the Pioneers to cut the deficit down to 9-7 with over four minutes left in the first quarter. UW-Platteville ended the quarter with seven unanswered to hold a 14-11 advantage heading into the second. The Pioneers were able to extend the lead to 10 late in the second after threes by freshman Blair Watters and sophomore Brynlee Nelson highlighted as 8-0 run. The Titans converted a layup in the final seconds, but the Pioneers led 25-17 heading into halftime.

A 19-10 third quarter in favor of UW-Platteville pushed the lead up to 17 at 44-27 heading into the final frame. The Pioneers connected on a trio of threes in the quarter with junior Addison Baierl, freshman Madalyn Reichmann, and senior Allison Heckert each making one. UW-Platteville continued to add to the lead in the fourth using a 9-0 run to extend the advantage to 24 at 55-31. The Pioneers added a couple more points in the closing minutes to win 60-35.

Mackiewicz led the Pioneers in scoring with 13 points and grabbed a team-high five rebounds. Baierl added 10 points while junior Sarah Mueller finished with nine. The Pioneers shot 41.5 percent (22-of-53) from the field and 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from beyond the arc. Defensively, UW-Platteville forced 25 Titans turnovers, including 11 steals. Mackiewicz and Mueller both recorded three steals to lead the team.

Kennedy Osterman and Kayce Vaile each scored eight points to tie for the UW-Oshkosh lead. Vaile also grabbed a team-leading 10 rebounds. The Titans shot 34.2 percent (13-of-38) from the floor and 13.3 percent (2-of-15) from deep.

The Pioneers travel to UW-Stevens Point on Saturday afternoon to continue conference play. Tip-off against Pointers is set for 3 p.m.

*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.