PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - Senior Ella Mackiewicz scored a season-high 27 points as the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (15-4, 5-3 WIAC) surged ahead in the second half to defeat UW-Stevens Point (12-7, 1-7 WIAC) Wednesday night on Bo Ryan Court. 

After the Pointers held a seven-point halftime lead, the Pioneers went on a third-quarter roll steered by Mackiewicz. Scoring 16 of the team's 25 points in the quarter, Mackiewicz was 6-of-7 from the floor, including 2-of-2 from deep, and 2-of-4 from the foul line. The senior also set game-highs with four blocks, three steals and eight rebounds. 

Joining Mackiewicz in double-digits was senior Madalyn Reichmann with 12 points and junior Tatum Weir with 10 points. 

 UW-Platteville's second-half shooting was joined by a persistent defense which totaled nine blocked shots and seven steals along with forcing 13 turnovers. On the glass, the Pioneers held a 41-38 advantage. 

UW-Stevens Point jumped out to an early lead to start the night and then Karissa Smith's three three-pointers in the second quarter gave the Pointers a 29-22 lead at the half. 

Mackiewicz scored the first seven points of the second half to tie the game and a layup by sophomore Ava Hanson gave the Pioneers their first lead of the night with 7:41 on the clock. Five minutes later, Reichmann buried a three-pointer, making it a 21-4 run in favor of the Pioneers to start the second half. In all, UW-Platteville finished the third quarter shooting 75 percent (9-of-12) from the field and were 3-of-3 from three-point range. 

The Pioneers held a double-digit lead midway through the fourth quarter and never allowed the Pointers to cut their advantage to fewer than eight points for the rest of the game. 

UW-Platteville finished shooting 39.2 percent (20-of-51) from the floor, including 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) from beyond the arc. UW-Stevens Point finished the game 30 percent (18-of-60) from the field, including 19.2 percent (5-of-26) from three-point territory. 

The Pioneers will have a bye weekend and then hit the road for UW-Oshkosh next Wednesday, Feb. 4 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.