ANGOLA, Ind. – Seniors Ella Mackiewicz and Madalyn Reichmann heated up in the fourth quarter to guide the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team past Trine University 67-63 Saturday in the first day of the Croxton and Roe Holiday Tournament. The Pioneers improve to 9-1 on the season, a program best start in over 40 years.

Following a back-and-forth start and a tied game at the first quarter break, the Thunder (6-2) pulled ahead and led from there on until a fourth quarter surge from the Pioneers, featuring 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) shooting from beyond the arc.

Trailing by 12 entering the fourth quarter, Mackiewicz knocked down a tone-setting three in the first moments of the quarter and dished out the next six points for the Pioneers, cutting Trine's advantage to five with five minutes to go. Senior Ashley Weir hit a three, trimming it to a one-score game and after a couple of scores by the Thunder, back-to-back threes by Mackiewicz and Reichmann cut Trine's lead to 59-58 with 2:09 on the clock. Sophomore Tatum Weir's layup with under a minute gave UW-Platteville its first lead of the half and then a pair of free throws by Mackiewicz  made it a two-possession game. Trine cut the lead to two with 0:11 on the clock but Ashley Weir's two makes at the foul line secured the comeback win.

Mackiewicz finished with a game-high 21 points as Reichmann also reached double-digits with 14 points. Senior Alexis Strom added eight points off the bench. 

UW-Platteville shot 44.1 percent (26-of-59) from the floor while going 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) from three-point range. The Pioneers went 87.5 percent (7-of-8) from the free throw line.

Mackiewicz grabbed a team-high six rebounds as the Pioneers held a 36-30 edge on the glass. Sophomore Ava Hanson dished out three assists to pace the team.

Trine shot 41.2 percent (21-of-51) from the floor and 30.4 percent (7-of-23) from beyond the arc. The Thunder made 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) of their free throws. 
 
UW-Platteville will return to action on Sunday for the second day of the tournament. Tip-off for the Pioneers and Olivet game is set for noon Central time. 

*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.