Pioneers Dealt First West Coast Loss to No. 1 NYU

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (7-4) suffered its first loss at UC Santa Cruz's tournament on Saturday to top-ranked New York University (11-0) by a score of 76-50. 

The Pioneers started strong and held with the Violets through ten minutes of play. Sophomore Ella Mackiewicz was 3-of-6 from the field and 1-of-1 on free throws in the first quarter and paced the Pioneers who only trailed NYU 16-14 at the quarter break. 

Unfortunately, the Violets' defense held UW-Platteville scoreless until junior Brynlee Nelson's two made free throws at the end of the half finally put the Pioneers on the board in the second quarter. 

NYU led 32-16 at the half and carried their momentum into the second half. Senior Sarah Mueller scored all, but three of the Pioneers' 11 points in the quarter while the Violets added another 23 points to lead 55-27 going into the final quarter. 

The Pioneers outscored NYU for the first time in the fourth quarter, but the 23-21 advantage was not enough to overcome the Violets' commanding lead. 

Mueller finished a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and 2-of-2 from beyond the arc in the second half. The senior was also 4-of-5 from the foul line and added two rebounds. 

In addition to Mueller's 16 points in the game, Mackiewicz also finished in double figures with 12 points and added three assists and three rebounds. 

UW-Platteville shot 27.1 percent (16-of-59) from the floor in the game and 22.7 percent (5-of-22) from beyond the arc. 

NYU finished 46.7 percent (28-of-60) from the field and 46.2 percent (6-of-13) from three-point territory. Natalie Bruns (20) and Morgan Morrison (14) each scored double-digits for NYU while Belle Pellicchia pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. 

The Pioneers will fly home and return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 3 when they host UW-Eau Clare in the WIAC opener on Bo Ryan Court at 7 p.m.