PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The senior class of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team had a lot to celebrate on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers defeated the Eagles 65-55 on Bo Ryan Court and their 17^th victory this season marked the most wins since the 1988-89 campaign.

Leading the way for UW-Platteville (17-4,7-3 WIAC) was senior Ella Mackiewicz, who's double-double featured 17 points and 11 rebounds in addition to four assists. Junior Tatum Weir added 13 points and senior Madalyn Reichmann also joined in double figures with 10 points. Senior Ashley Weir added nine with all points coming from beyond the arc.

UW-La Crosse (13-8, 6-4 WIAC) scored first and led 7-5 less than five minutes into the game, but a layup by Mackiewicz followed by four-straight points by senior Alexis Strom and a made free throw by sophomore Caitlyn Strom gave the Pioneers a five-point lead. The Pioneers led 16-11 at the quarter break and a layup by Mackiewicz followed by a three-point make from fellow senior Ashley Weir made it a 10-point lead, 21-11 with 7:42 to go in the first half.

UW-Platteville held a 34-25 advantage at halftime and pushed that lead to 18 at the start of the third quarter with five Pioneers scoring in the first four minutes. The Eagles made a run towards the end of the quarter to shave the lead to five points. Two made free throws at the 4:12 mark cut the Pioneers' lead to 58-54, but a jump shot by Tatum Weir followed by a steal and made layup by Reichmann returned the advantage to eight points with 2:49 left in the game. Mackiewicz had a huge block on the Eagles' next attempt and from then on, UW-La Crosse struggled to get any shots to fall.

The Pioneers shot 49.1 percent (26-of-53) from the floor in the win and 5-of-13 from three-point range. From the line, UW-Platteville shot 47.1 percent (8-of-17).
The Eagles shot 31.7 percent (19-of-60) for the game and just 11.8 percent (2-of-17) from beyond the arc. At the line, UW-La Crosse was 15-of-21 (71.4 percent).

On the glass, the Eagles held a 37-33 advantage.

After the game, the UW-Platteville recognized the senior class which included: Ella Mackiewicz, Madalyn Reichmann, Ashley Weir, Alexis Strom, Lauren Sparks, and Barb Kling.

The Pioneers will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 11 when they host UW-Whitewater 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.