Pioneers fall in the last second to UW-Stout
Posted January 9, 2010
UW-Stout's Megan Maslowski scored in the last second, lifting the Blue Devils to an 86-84 win over visiting UW-Platteville, spoiling a gritty effort by the Pioneers.
The Blue Devils' Kayla Windt made a steal with five seconds left, knocking the ball out of bounds off a Pioneer. The Blue Devils inbounded, and Maslowski drove inside for the game-winner. She was actually fouled on the play with 0.3 seconds left, but purposely missed the free throw so the Pioneers could not get off a desperation shot.
UW-Stout improved to 8-4 overall and 4-2 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while the Pioneers fell to 9-5, 2-3.
The upset-minded Pioneers scored the game's first 10 points and held a 13-2 lead over the surprised Blue Devils. Stout, however, tied the game at 17 and led 41-38 at the half.
The Blue Devils led 74-71 until Ashley Henry and Liz Lawinger hit back-to-back shots, giving UWP a 75-74 lead and beginning a stirring final minutes. The last 4:10 of the contest featured 10 lead changes and two ties. The Pioneers kept taking the lead on free throws, hitting 9-10 down the stretch. Stacia Nemitz's two free throws with 54 seconds left gave UWP a 84-82 lead.
Windt's two free shots with 37 seconds remaining tied the score at 84-84. Both teams missed on their next possessions, and the Pioneers inbounded the ball with seven seconds left. Windt then made her steal with five seconds left, setting up the game-winner.
Nemitz scored 21 points, Ashley Wolf 17, Charity Stotmeister 13 and Lawinger 11 for the Pioneers, who made 31-37 (83.8 percent) from the line.
All-American center Julia Hirssig scored 30 to pace the Blue Devils, including two key baskets in the final three minutes. Maslowski added 17 for the Blue Devils.
Coach Tina Kuhle's Pioneers play host to UW-Stevens Point Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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