PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team improved to 11-1 as five Pioneers scored in double figures to defeat UW-Stout (9-3, 0-1)  82-69 Saturday afternoon in the conference opener on Bo Ryan Court.

UW-Platteville was led by senior Ashley Weir with a team-high 18 points and senior Ella Mackiewicz who finished with 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

With both teams receiving votes in the D3hoops.com poll, the Pioneers took the lead at the start and never trailed in the game. A 16-4 run at the beginning, featuring a pair of threes from Weir, gave the Pioneers a 12-point lead just five minutes into the game.

UW-Platteville carried a 12-point advantage into the second quarter after shooting 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from the field in the first while holding UW-Stout to 35.7 percent (5-of-14). Another three-pointer by Weir gave the home team a 31-15 lead with 5:44 to go in the half, but the Blue Devils finish on a 16-2 run to cut the Pioneers' lead to 33-31 at the intermission.

Another three from Weir sparked UW-Platteville's 12-2 run at the start of the third and by the end of the period, the Pioneers led by 12 points once again. Mackiewicz sank a three and layup at the start off the fourth and an offensive board and layup by junior Tatum Weir pushed the advantage to 63-49 with under eight minutes to go in the game. The UW-Stout didn't back down and drew within three, 66-63, with 4:17 on the clock, but efficient shooting in the quarter from the Pioneers, including 60 percent (9-of-15) from the field and 66.7 percent (6-of-9) from the foul line, pushed UW-Platteville's lead to double figures by the end of the game.

Sophomore Ava Hanson, Grace Groezinger and Caitlyn Strom all finished with 10 points while senior Madalyn Reichmann finished with a team-high four assists.

The Pioneers scored 48 points in the paint during the game behind 52.5 percent (31-of-59) from the field, including 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from three-point territory. The Blue Devils were 40 percent (22-of-55) from the floor, with 40 percent shooting (8-of-20) from beyond the arc.

The Pioneers will hit the road on Wednesday, Jan. 7 for a 7 p.m. game at UW-Eau Claire.
 
*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.