Pioneers Beat Pointers Behind Second Half 18-0 Run on Senior Day

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team secured a home WIAC Tournament game with a 59-55 victory over UW-Stevens Point Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers improved to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in the WIAC while the Pointers dropped to 14-9 and 3-9 WIAC following the game on Bo Ryan Court.

After the game, the UW-Platteville recognized its two graduating seniors, Sarah Mueller and Olivia Liddicoat.

The Pioneers got off to a slow start and UW-Stevens Point jumped out to a nine-point lead less than five minutes into the game. The Pioneers chipped away at the deficit and a pair of free throws by junior Macey Banasik and a layup make by Mueller nearly evened the score 13-12 with just seconds left in the first quarter.

The Pointers pushed the gap back to seven early in the second half, but the Pioneers started another comeback, starting with a made three by senior Brianna Prieve at the 5:16 mark, drawing the Pioneers within three. A made three by UW-Stevens Point made it a two possession game down the final stretch of the half, but a second chance three-point make by sophomore Madalyn Reichmann cut the Pointer's lead to 26-24 going into halftime.  

UW-Stevens Point started the second half hot, jumping out to a 36-27 lead four minutes in, but a made layup by sophomore Ella Mackiewicz made it a one possession game with 3:47 left in the third. The Pointers had two more makes before a made free throw, with 2:19 on the clock, by sophomore Alexis Strom completed a three point play and sparked the 18-0 run for the Pioneers. Back-to-back layups by Mueller tied the game 40-40 and a three-point make by junior Brynlee Nelson gave the Pioneers a three-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

A layup by Nelson from Mackiewicz made it 18 unanswered for the Pioneers and gave UW-Platteville a 51-40 lead to work with as 7:34 remained in regulation. The Pointers followed it up with an 8-0 run of their own. With 1:24 remaining in regulation, the Pointers only trailed 57-55, but a made free throw by Mackiewicz and another by junior Barb Kling made it a two passion game as the final seconds ran off the board.

The Pioneers shot 42.9 percent (24-of-56), 25 percent (3-of-12) from beyond the arc and made 8-of-10 free throws.  Both Mueller and Mackiewicz paced the team with 14 points apiece while Mackiewicz had a team-high seven rebounds and two blocks.

The Pointers shot 37.9 percent (22-of-58), 34.6 percent (9-of-26) from three-point territory and made just 2-of-6 from the foul line. Alexa Thomas led the Pointers behind a double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pioneers will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 14 when they travel to UW-Whitewater 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.