Pioneers Fall To Coe In Close Contest

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (1-1) fell 68-63 to Coe (2-1) in the opening game of the Cornell College Tournament on Saturday evening inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Both offenses put together strong opening quarters, as the Pioneers held a 20-19 lead heading into the second behind a trio of three-point makes by junior Allison Wokatsch. The scoring pace slowed down slightly in the second quarter, with Coe outscoring UW-Platteville 14-12 to take a 33-32 lead into halftime.

Neither team led by more than three in a back-and-forth third quarter, and the game entered the final frame 45-42 in favor of the Kohawks. The Pioneers were able to take a two-point lead early in the quarter on a three-point play by junior Ella Mackiewicz, but Coe answered with seven straight points to take a 54-49 lead with just over six minutes to play. UW-Platteville was able to get back within two multiple times down the stretch, but the Kohawks wrapped up the game at the free throw line to hold on for a 68-63 win.

Four Pioneers finished in double figures, with senior Brynlee Nelson leading the way with 15 points on 7-of-16 shooting. Wokatsch added a career-high 13 points, while seniors Addison Baierl and Brianna Prieve each finished with 11.

Mackiewicz stuffed the stat sheet for UW-Platteville, posting a line of nine points, seven rebounds, three assists, four steals, and five blocks. The five blocks matched her career-high.

UW-Platteville shot 41.9 percent (26-of-62) from the floor and 33.3 percent (10-of-30) from beyond the arc. The Pioneers attempted just two free throws in the contest, making one.

Coe was led by Caydee Kirkham, who scored 33 points on 12-of-20 shooting. For the game, the Kohawks shot 46.2 percent (24-of-52) from the field and 45.5 percent (10-of-22) from deep.

The Pioneers will take on Cornell tomorrow at 3 p.m. in their second game at the Cornell College Tournament this weekend.