WAUWATOSA, Wis. – Behind a stout defensive effort, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (8-1) outlasted No. 23 Wisconsin Lutheran (6-2) for a 63-57 road win on Saturday evening inside the Time of Grace Center.
The Pioneers held the Warriors to a season-low 30.5 percent (18-of-59) shooting in the contest, including 22.7 percent (5-of-22) from three-point range. Wisconsin Lutheran was able to keep the game close with strong free throw shooting, finishing at 80.0 percent (16-of-20).
UW-Platteville shot 41.1 percent (23-of-56) while posting a season-high mark from deep at 50.0 percent (7-of-14). The Pioneers were also excellent from the charity stripe, shooting 90.9 percent (10-of-11) including a perfect 5-of-5 in the fourth quarter.
Four three-point makes highlighted a strong opening quarter for the Pioneers, who led 18-12 entering the second. Senior
Ashley Weir and graduate student
Barb Kling led the way with five points each across the first 10 minutes.
Wisconsin Lutheran battled back in the second frame and took a 30-28 lead into the break after a three-point make as time ran out gave the hosts their first lead of the game. Despite shooting just 23.1 percent (23.1 percent) in the quarter, the Warriors erased the deficit by making 10 free throws.
The Warriors added to the lead out of halftime and led 38-29 with 6:09 left in the third quarter. But UW-Platteville closed the quarter with a 14-2 run to flip the score in its favor and lead 43-40 heading into the final quarter. Weir scored the go-ahead three on a pullup jumper from the top of the arc to put the Pioneers ahead.
UW-Platteville increased the lead to seven four minutes into the fourth, but Wisconsin Lutheran got back within two points on two separate occasions to keep the game tight. A driving score by senior
Alexis Strom and a layup by senior
Ella Mackiewicz helped manage the first Warriors run, while sophomore
Ava Hanson weathered the second run with four makes at the free throw line in the final 15 seconds to secure the win.
Weir posted her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds while dishing out a team-high six assists. She went 4-of-6 shooting from the floor and 2-of-3 from long range. Joining her in double figures was Strom, who recorded 10 points and three assists on 4-of-5 shooting. Hanson finished just shy of double digits with nine points.
The Pioneers will have a week off before traveling to Angola, Indiana for a pair of games at the Cameron Holiday Classic hosted by Trine University. UW-Platteville will face Trine next Saturday at 4 p.m. in the opening game before playing Olivet on Sunday at noon.
*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.
