Pioneers Fall In Regular Season Finale To UW-Stout

MENOMONIE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (14-11, 7-7 WIAC) fell 66-52 in the regular season finale to UW-Stout (18-7, 8-6) inside Johnson Fieldhouse in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

The Blue Devils put together a strong first quarter, highlighted by a seven-point run to lead 13-4 after the first frame. Three-point makes by sophomores Ella Mackiewicz and Madalyn Reichmann helped the Pioneers get within one midway through the second quarter, but back-to-back UW-Stout buckets increased the lead back to five at 19-14. The Blue Devils maintained that lead for remainder of the half and took a 23-18 lead into the break.

A 16-point third quarter by Mackiewicz helped the Pioneers stay within striking distance, but UW-Stout closed the quarter with a 7-2 run to lead 45-38 heading into the final 10 minutes. UW-Platteville got as close as three on free throws by senior Sarah Mueller and a layup by Reichman, but the Blue Devils pulled away in the final six minutes to win 66-52.

Mackiewicz finished with 23 points on 10-of-19 shooting while grabbing three rebounds and blocking one shot. Reichmann added nine points and shared the team lead in rebounds with six with sophomore Alexis Strom.

UW-Platteville shot 33.3 percent (22-of-66) from the field and 15.4 percent (4-of-26) from three-point range. UW-Stout finished the game 43.3 percent (26-of-60) from the floor and 11.5 percent (3-of-26) from beyond the arc.

The Pioneers will enter the 2024 WIAC Women's Basketball Tournament as the fourth seed and will host the opening round on Monday at 7 p.m. against fifth-seeded UW-La Crosse. It is the first time since 2015 that UW-Platteville will host a game of the conference tournament.