UW-Platteville vs. UW-Oshkosh

UW-Platteville women’s basketball team was challenged offensively against a very strong defensive effort from the UW-Oshkosh Titans on Feb. 2. UW-Platteville lost by the score of 59-47.

The Pioneers shot 77.8% from the floor in the first quarter. Oshkosh was also on fire, making its first six shots and taking an 18-16 lead. However, the Titans clamped down defensively in the second quarter. Platteville was held to eight points in the second period. The Pioneers also committed nine first-half turnovers and trailed 31-26 at halftime.

UW-Oshkosh continued to shut the Pioneers down in the second half and allowed only 21 second-half points, which forced an additional six turnovers. The Titans took advantage of the opportunities created by their defense, scored 17 points off those 15 turnovers, and held Platteville to 39.1% shooting for the game.

The Pioneers continued to fight after Allison Heckert’s layup cut the deficit to 48-40 with just over four minutes left. However, Platteville missed seven free throws in the fourth quarter as Oshkosh, who also struggled from the free-throw line in the game (12-23), would go on to complete the victory.

Allison Heckert secured a career-high 10 rebounds in the contest. The Pioneers’ leading scorers were Maiah Domask with 16 points and Sarah Mueller with 10. UW-Oshkosh’s Leah Porath led all scorers with 20 points for the Titans.

The Pioneers fell to 9-11 overall and 2-8 in the WIAC. UW-Oshkosh improved with 15-4 and 5-3 in conference play. 

UW-Platteville vs. UW-Stevens Point

UW-Platteville women’s basketball team was narrowly defeated by UW-Stevens Point on Feb. 9 in their second matchup with the Pointers this season. The game featured nine ties and seven lead changes, and the score remained tight throughout. The teams were never separated by more than seven points.

The Pioneers and Pointers each shot under 30% from the floor in the opening quarter. UW-Platteville led 13-10 after the first quarter. However, in the second quarter, the game took a different tone. The depth of the Pointers was evident as reserve senior guard Jessica Slowik, averaging five points per game, scored 15 in quarter two alone. Slowik finished with 19 of the 31-bench points the Pointers scored. The Pioneers took advantage of their opportunities at the free-throw line, shooting 6-7 in each half. UW-Platteville trailed 28-26 at halftime.

The Pioneers had an outstanding third quarter offensively, scoring thirty points on 68.8% shooting. Platteville found success inside as seniors Taylor Gilbert and Maiah Domask scored six points each. The Pioneers led 56-50 when the fourth quarter began.

UW-Stevens Point would not go away quietly in a final quarter that included late drama. The Pointers rallied to tie the score at 68 with 2:00 minutes left. The Pointers recaptured the lead 72-70 with 1:23 minute remaining. As the Pioneers continued fighting, Maiah Domask’s basket tied the game again with 11 seconds to go. However, UW-Stevens Point’s Alexa Thomson would hit the game-winning three-pointer on the ensuing possession, defeating the Pioneers 75-72.

Gilbert scored a career-high 17 points in the game. Domask led all players in scoring (20) and rebounds (11).

The Pioneers fell to 9-12 overall and 2-9 in the WIAC. UW-Stevens Point improves and stands at 10-8 overall and 3-6 WIAC.

UW-Platteville vs. UW-River Falls 

The Pioneers earned a comeback victory over UW-River Falls Feb. 14 on Senior Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Game, 66-63. The Pioneers successfully collaborated for a team-oriented victory, forcing 14 turnovers defensively, collecting 44 rebounds and sharing the ball well, facilitating 15 assists on 21 made field-goals.

UW-Platteville trailed by six early because of two Jenna Zeman three-pointers to open the game. The Pioneers were outscored 11-2 in second chance points over the first two quarters, but stayed close, and were down 34-30 at the half.

UW-Platteville allowed only eight points in the third quarter, taking a 43-42 lead into the fourth. Even though the Pioneers shot 50% from the floor, scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter, it was not an easy victory.

Tied at 60 with 1:35 left, courtesy of an Aspyn Stewart free-throw, the Pioneers earned a defensive stop and took the lead on Maiah Domask’s lay-up. Four free-throws with a three-pointer from the Falcons’ Kameri Meredith between them, gave UW-River Falls a chance to tie the game, down 66-63 at that point. However, Platteville completed one last defensive stand to preserve the win.

Domask finished an impressive day with 31 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Taylor Gilbert scored 13 points with five rebounds. Allison Heckert also pulled down five rebounds and Aspyn Stewart contributed seven points with two rebounds.

From start to finish, it was a battle, but the Pioneers earned the hard-fought victory.