LA CROSSE – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (13-1, 3-0) overcame a slow start Saturday afternoon to win its ninth straight game with a 66-63 victory at UW-La Crosse (8-6, 1-2). 

Senior Ella Mackiewicz put up a season-high 24 points and was relentless on defense, forcing six steals and tallying two blocks.

The Eagles jumped out to an 11-2 start, but a jump shot by senior Madalyn Reichmann after a steal by sophomore Caitlyn Strom tied the game 13-13 with 2:31 left in the first quarter. UW-Platteville was 9-of-10 at the foul line in the first period and the final four makes gave the Pioneers a 17-13 lead at the quarter break. 

UW-Platteville finished a 13-0 run to start of the second quarter, but the Eagles rallied and cut the Pioneers' lead to a slim 32-31 at halftime. UW-Platteville had its strongest quarter in the third, shooting 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the floor and outscoring UW-La Crosse 18-12. 

 Although Mackiewicz gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the half, 52-43, on the first possession of the fourth, three straight three pointers cut the Eagles' deficit to two, before tying the game 54-54 with 5:27 on the clock. Mackiewicz responded with a three pointer of her own, but La Crosse tied the game once more with 1:39 to go. A layup by Mackiewicz, a steal by sophomore Ava Hanson and a layup from Weir made it 64-60 in favor of the Pioneers with less than a minute remaining. The Eagles drained a timely three, but Mackiewicz's sixth steal of the night followed by two made free throws from the senior secured the victory. 

Reichmann joined Mackiewicz in double figures with 12 points and also had a team-high three assists. Strom posted a team-best six rebounds. 

UW-Platteville outscored the Eagles 38-20 in the paint and finished shooting 48.9 percent (23-of-47) in the game, including 30 percent (3-of-10) from beyond the arc. The Pioneers finished 85 percent (17-of-20) from the free throw line. 

UW-La Crosse shot 35.6 percent (21-of-59) from the floor, featuring 37 percent (10-of-27) from three-point territory, but made just 68.8 percent (11-of-16) of their free throw attempts. 

The Pioneers return to action and Bo Ryan Court on Wednesday when they host No. 3 UW-Oshkosh at 7 p.m.

 
*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.