Pioneers fall to No. 16 Titans

Photo by: Steve Frommell, UW Oshkosh Athletics

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (13-9, 6-5 WIAC) fell 67-54 to No. 16 nationally ranked UW-Oshkosh (18-4, 9-2 WIAC) on Wednesday night at Kolf Sports Center. 

Although the Titans took the lead to start the game, the Pioneers battled to keep it a two-possession contest for the entirety of the first quarter. The Pioneers cut UW-Oshkosh's lead to two in the final seconds with a pair of free throw makes by sophomore Madalyn Reichmann. 

The Titans took a 19-15 lead into the second quarter and extended the advantage to 13 with six minutes to go in the half. A three-point make by senior Sarah Mueller trimmed the lead to 29-22 with 2:38 on the clock. 

UW-Oshkosh led 35-24 at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. While the Pioneers were unable to draw within fewer than 10 of the Titans, UW-Platteville never allowed UW-Oshkosh to pull ahead by more than 17 in the half. 

Sophomore Ella Mackiewicz paced the Pioneers with 14 points, and two blocks. Reichmann hit double figures as well with 11 points. Mackiewicz and Reichmann were joined by junior Macey Banasik who each pulled down four rebounds.

The Pioneers shot 39.6 percent (21-of-53) from the field, 30 percent (6-of-20) from three-point territory and made 6-of-9 free throws. 

The Titans shot 57.4 percent (27-of-47) and 38.5 percent (5-of-13) from beyond the arc.  

Kennedy Osterman (17) and Kayce Vaile (16) accounted for 33 of UW-Oshkosh's 67 points. Sarah Hardwick had a game-high 10 rebound. 

UW-Platteville will return to action and Bo Ryan Court on Saturday, Feb. 10 when they host UW-Stevens Point at 3 p.m. for Senior Day.