In a back-and-forth contest, the Pioneers (5-15, 1-10 WIAC) fell just short of picking up the win Saturday over the visiting University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons (11-9, 5-6 WIAC), dropping the Alumni Day game 61-60.

Pioneer sophomore Alyssa Krajco scored two of her 14 points with 14 seconds left in the game to bring the Pioneers within two points, 59-57. Krajco then committed her fifth foul on UW-River Falls’ Nikki Guhr, who sank both free throws.  Pioneer sophomore Rachel Cropp drilled a half-court shot as time expired, bringing the final deficit to one.

“We battled hard,” Pioneers head coach Megan Wilson said.  “I love the fact that our kids never give up, but there were a few things that we could have done a better job of.”

Wilson cited the team’s defense early in the second half as a problem, letting the Falcons get into the bonus early and allowing the visitors to go 20-28 from the line in the second half.  UW-River Falls shot a total of 32 free throws to the Pioneers’ 11.

The Pioneers came out well in the first half and held a 33-29 lead at the half.  Senior Liz Lawinger controlled the offense for the home team in the opening period, scoring 14 points, 12 from behind the three-point line.

However, Lawinger cooled off in the second half, scoring just one point.

“They got out to our shooters better in the second half,” Wilson said.  “You have to give them credit.”

The Falcons switched to a zone defense in the second half, which decreased the Pioneers ability to get to the rim for easier attempts.

“We’re hard to guard in swing when we execute it well, and I think that made their decision easy,” Wilson said.

Lawinger led the Pioneers with 15 points, followed by Krajco with 14.  Senior Claire Poad and sophomore Rilee Schmitz led the squad with seven rebounds apiece.

After two road games in the coming week, the Pioneers will finish their season with three games at home.  The team in 3-4 overall at home and face Universities of Wisconsin-Whitewater, La Crosse and Eau Claire; three teams the Pioneers have played well against in previous contests.