WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Senior Ella Mackiewicz dished out 11 points, five boards and three steals in the fourth quarter to guide the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (2-0) to a 58-53 victory over Whitworth University (0-1) Friday afternoon. The Pioneers outshot the Pirates 22-9 in the final 10 minutes of the opening game at the Kim Evanger Raney Memorial Classic, hosted by Whitman College.

The game started as a back-and-forth contest, but a made three-pointer by sophomore Caitlyn Strom gave the Pioneers a 16-13 lead going into the second quarter. After the team made six-of-eight free throws in the first quarter, back-to-back free throws by Mackiewicz followed by a steal and made layup from the senior pushed UW-Platteville's lead to seven, 20-13. The Pirates rallied and narrowed the gap to 20-19 with 5:37 left in the first half.

The Pioneers held a slim 27-26 lead at the half, but Whitman continued their momentum into the start of the third quarter and less than two minutes in, the Pirates led by five. Senior Alexis Strom's layup followed by two made free throws by senior Ashley Weir cut it to a one possession game with 5:59 to go in the quarter, but Whitworth finished on an 8-1 run and UW-Platteville trailed 44-36 going into the final quarter.

Whitworth kept an eight-point advantage until sophomore Ava Hanson's second straight layup sparked the big comeback. Sophomore Grace Groezinger scored next and then a huge three-pointer by Mackiewicz cut the Pirates lead to one with 6:28 to go in the game. Mackiewicz sunk another three and then two made layups by seniors Ashley Weir and Madalyn Reichmann gave the lead back to the Pioneers, 54-53, with 2:24 on the clock. Mackiewicz registered a steal and layup followed by a foul drawn and free throw made, extending the lead to 58-53 as UW-Platteville shutout Whitworth in the final five minutes of the game. Having shot under 27 percent in the first three quarters, the Pioneers shot a stellar 57.1 percent (8-of-14) in the final ten minutes.

Mackiewicz finished with game-highs of 18 points, nine rebounds, six steals and two blocks.

Overall, the Pioneers finished the night 29.2 percent (19-of-65) from the floor, including 27.8 percent (5-of-18) from behind the arc, and 62.5 percent (15-of-24) from the foul line. The Pirates shot 34.7 percent (17-of-49) from the field, including 25 percent (5-of-20) from three-point territory and were a near-prefect 93.3 percent (14-of-15) on free throws.

UW-Platteville will take on Whitman College on Saturday in the second day of the tournament at 2 p.m. Central Time or noon Pacific.

 
*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a free ice cream cone (with purchase) the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering a free churro (with purchase) the day after each Pioneer win.