Pioneers Secure WIAC Tournament Berth With Win Over Warhawks

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (11-14, 4-10 WIAC) clinched a berth in the WIAC Tournament with a 61-52 win at home over no. 16 ranked UW-Whitewater (19-6, 10-4 WIAC) in the regular season finale on Wednesday night.

With the win, the Pioneers swept the Warhawks for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

The efforts on the defensive end of the floor highlighted the first half, as UW-Whitewater held a 20-18 advantage at halftime. The Warhawks led by five at the end of the first quarter, but layups by freshman Ella Mackiewicz and sophomore Brynlee Nelson brought the Pioneers back within one. In the second quarter, UW-Whitewater pulled ahead by seven on a six-point run, but Mackiewicz scored the final five points of the half to make it a two-point game at the break.

UW-Platteville erased a four-point deficit in the third to lead 28-25 behind a seven-point run. Freshman Madalyn Reichmann started the run with a three, and layups by sophomore Barb Kling and senior Lara Anger gave the Pioneers a three-point lead with 2:45 left in the quarter. The Warhawks tied the game at 32 in the final minute of the third, but free throws by Mackiewicz helped the Pioneers hold a 34-33 lead heading to the fourth.

Mackiewicz scored four quick points to extend the lead to five, and after UW-Whitewater cut it two, a three by senior Allison Heckert and a layup by Nelson put the Pioneers up 43-36 with 7:33 to play. The Pioneers continued to attack the paint and three tough made layups made it 49-42 in favor of UW-Platteville with 3:50 left. The Warhawks got back within one possession, but Mackiewicz converted a four-point play to increase the lead back to seven. The Pioneers led by at least seven for the remainder of the game to win 61-52.

Mackiewicz scored a game-high 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting while pacing the team in rebounds with nine. Nelson also reached double figures with 10 points and added five rebounds. The Pioneers scored 32 points in the paint and outscored the Warhawks 17-6 in second chance points. UW-Platteville shot 32.3 percent (21-of-65) from the floor and went 14-of-22 (63.6 percent) from the free throw line.

Aleah Grundahl scored 21 points to finish as the only Warhawk in double figures. Abby Belschner (15 rebounds) and Kacie Carollo (11) each reached double digits on the glass. UW-Whitewater shot 32.8 percent (20-of-61) from the floor and 25.0 percent (4-of-16) from beyond the arc.

The Pioneers will face third-seeded UW-Eau Claire in the opening round of the WIAC Tournament next Tuesday, February 21. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m in Eau Claire.

*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.