Pioneers Fall To Blugolds In WIAC Tournament Opener

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The sixth-seeded University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (11-15) fell 65-55 in the opening round of the WIAC Women's Basketball Tournament (presented by Culver's) to third-seeded UW-Eau Claire (19-7) on Tuesday night inside the W.L. Zorn Arena.

The Blugolds pulled ahead 15-6 late in the first quarter behind a seven-point run, but a jumper by junior Sarah Mueller and a three by sophomore Brynlee Nelson brought the Pioneers within four at 15-11 heading into the second. UW-Eau Claire knocked down a pair of threes early in the second frame and a layup midway through made it 25-15 before a three by freshman Madalyn Reichmann cut the deficit down to single digits. The Blugolds scored the final eight points of the half to hold a 33-20 advantage at the break.

After UW-Eau Claire scored the first basket of the third, the Pioneers went on an 11-0 run to trail by four at 35-31. Freshman Ella Mackiewicz made a pair of threes on the run, while Nelson scored the other five points to get UW-Platteville within striking distance. The Blugolds increased the lead back to 10, but a pair of threes by Reichmann and a layup by sophomore Barb Kling made it 45-41 entering the final quarter. A six-point run early in the fourth got the Pioneers within one at 48-47, but a 10-2 run by UW-Eau Claire pushed the lead back to nine with 4:49 left to play. The Pioneers were unable to get closer than seven over the final five minutes as the Blugolds won 65-55.

Mackiewicz and Nelson tied for the team lead in points with 14, while Reichmann added 11 off the bench. Sophomore Macey Banasik and Kling each pulled in six rebounds to pace the team, while Nelson finished with a team-high three assists. The Pioneers shot 35.1 percent (20-of-57) from the floor and 40.0 percent (8-of-20) from beyond the arc.

In the game, senior Allison Heckert tied the program record for most career games played at 110.

Bailey Reardon and Jessie Ruden led the way for the Blugolds with 19 points apiece. Tyra Boettcher recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. UW-Eau Claire shot 43.1 percent (25-of-58) from the field and 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from three-point range.

The Pioneers wrap up the 2022-23 season with a 11-15 record and a 4-10 mark in conference play.