Pioneers hang on for win over Falcons

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team improved to 6-4 in the league and 13-8 overall with a thrilling 72-70 victory over UW-River Falls (13-8, 4-6 WIAC) Saturday afternoon. The win on Bo Ryan Court marks the first time since the 2014-15 season which the Pioneers have reached six conference and 13 overall victories.

During the Pink Out game in recognition of breast cancer awareness, the Pioneers raised $362.85 for the Grant County Cancer Coalition during a miracle minute.

The Pioneers forced 20 turnovers in the contest and also pulled down a pair of key rebounds which helped preserved the two-point lead at the end.

The Falcons were the first to heat up in the game, taking a six-point lead halfway through the first quarter, but sophomores Allison Wokatsch and junior Macey Banasik sank back-to-back three-point shots to cut the Falscons' lead to 15-14 at the quarter break. The Pioneers pulled ahead and a Wokatsch fast break jumper at the 6:48 mark put the Pioneers ahead by five. The Falcons tied the game back up, 26-26, with 3:49 to go in the half, and pulled ahead to a 38-32 lead at halftime.

The teams kept the third quarter a two-possession game at the most, with both teams leading at different times. The Falcons took the lead straight away at the start of the fourth quarter and led my as much as five with 3:50 left in the game. The Pioneers forced a turnover and sophomores Madalyn Reichmann found Ella Mackiewicz for the layup to give the Pioneers a 65-64 lead with 1:48 left on the clock. The lead grew to three points when Reichmann connected with Mackiewicz again, this time for a three-pointer. Mackiewicz pulled down a key defensive rebound on the next Falcon possession and was fouled in the process which sent the Pioneer to the line. Mackiewicz made both for the five-point lead. UW-River Falls cut the lead to three, but two more made free throws by Reichmann put the Pioneers ahead 72-67 with 00:09 on the clock. A Falcon layup and one free-throw cut the Pioneer's lead to two-points when Reichman was sent to the line with four seconds remaining. Neither shot fell, but senior Sarah Mueller pulled down the rebound to secure the Pioneers win.

Mackiewicz finished with a game-high 25 points. Mueller pulled down nine rebounds and junior Barb Kling, Mackiewicz and Reichmann each tallied two steals in the game.

The Pioneers shot 39.3 percent (24-61) from the field and 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from beyond the arc.

Macy Nilsen led the falcons with 23 points and Kameri Meredith pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.

The Falcons shot 41.5 percent (22-of-53) from the field and 42.9 percent (6-of-14) from three-point territory.

The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday, February 7 when they travel to UW-Oshkosh for a 7 p.m. game.

*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.