Pioneers Take Down Thunder For Third Straight Win

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (4-1) won its third straight game on Friday evening with a 58-49 win against Wheaton (Ill.) (3-2) inside the Kolf Center at the opening game of the UW-Oshkosh Tournament.

Junior Ella Mackiewicz put together a strong opening quarter, scoring 13 of the Pioneers 21 points while shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the free throw line. Behind her offensive spark, UW-Platteville jumped out to a 13-point lead while holding Wheaton to just 23.1 percent (3-of-13) shooting from the field.

The Thunder found more success in the second, scoring 17 points while shooting over 50 percent, but the Pioneers weathered the storm by scoring 13 points of their own to maintain a nine-point edge. Wheaton got as close as six in the quarter, but a three-point make by junior Allison Wokatsch and a layup by senior Addison Baierl helped UW-Platteville hold a 34-25 lead at the break.

A strong defensive third quarter allowed the Pioneers to expand the lead up to 14 heading into the final frame. The Thunder got as close as seven in the fourth quarter, but UW-Platteville capped off the win at the free throw line with a pair of makes by Mackiewicz.

UW-Platteville shot 36.5 percent (19-of-52) from the floor, slightly better than Wheaton's 34.5 percent (20-of-58). The difference was made up at the free throw line, with the Pioneers going 15-of-21 (71.4 percent) compared to the Thunder's 3-of-4 (75.0 percent).

Mackiewicz paced the team in scoring with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting. She added five rebounds and a pair of steals. Joining her in double figures was Baierl, who scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting with a team-high seven rebounds.

The Pioneers defense forced another 19 turnovers, the fourth time in five games the team has at least reached that mark.

UW-Platteville will play its second game at the UW-Oshkosh Tournament tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. against Central (Iowa).