Pioneers End Season At UW-River Falls

RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (8-17, 2-12 WIAC) concluded the 2024-25 season on Saturday afternoon with a 63-58 road loss to UW-River Falls (14-11, 6-8 WIAC) inside Page Arena.

The Falcons got out to a double digit lead in the opening quarter behind a 14-point run that included four three-point makes. UW-Platteville managed to get back within single digit at the end of the quarter on a three-pointer by senior Brianna Prieve in the closing seconds, but UW-River Falls built the lead back up to 10 in the second quarter. The Pioneers cut the gap down to five by halftime, using a three by senior Mikayla Mau and a second chance layup by junior Lauren Sparks to make it 33-28.

UW-Platteville was able to get within one midway through the third quarter as a three-pointer by sophomore Ava Hoppert made it 42-41. But the Falcons answered with a three of their own and maintained a multi-possession lead for the rest of the quarter. UW-River Falls brought it back to 10 in the early stages of the fourth, but the Pioneers rallied again, getting a three from Prieve and a pair of free throw makes by senior Brynlee Nelson to make it 60-56 with 3:29 remaining. That was as close as it got down the stretch, as the Falcons held off the Pioneers to win by five.

The Pioneers shot 40.4 percent (19-of-47) from the floor and posted a season-best 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from three. Ten different players scored in the contest for UW-Platteville, led by 11 from Prieve and 10 from junior Ella Mackiewicz. Mackiewicz paced the team on the glass with six rebounds while adding four assists.

UW-River Falls finished at 43.1 percent (22-of-51) for the game and 36.0 percent (9-of-25) from beyond the arc. Olivia Hoerl finished with 18 points to lead all scorers, while Karleigh Creasey hit three threes to finish with 16 points.