And unfortunately for the UW-Superior women's basketball team, rebounding made all the difference between winning and losing in their WIAC conference contest vs. UW-Platteville Saturday afternoon.

The Yellowjackets forced 19 turnovers and held the Pioneers to just 31.6 percent field goal shooting through 40 minutes of play.  But a 47-36 UW-Platteville rebounding edge, including 19 offensive rebounds for the Pioneers, ultimately doomed the Yellowjackets to a 69-60 loss at Bo Ryan Court.

UW-Superior also struggled offensively, committing 22 turnovers while knocking down just 35.8 percent of their shots in falling to 9-8 overall and 3-6 in WIAC play.

The Yellowjackets got off to a fast start in the opening half, taking a 5-0 lead with 18:56 left following a layup by Hailey Hart (Osseo, Wis./Osseo-Fairchild) and a three-pointer by # Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders)#.

UW-Platteville (10-8 overall, 4-5 WIAC) would go on a 11-0 run over the next 5:33 to take an 11-5 lead after two free throws by Kim Wellnitz with 13:23 remaining in the first half.

UW-Superior rallied back to even matters 16-16 after a jumper by Deandra Vavra (Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) and an inside basket by Vanessa Lebens (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) with 8:13 left.

The Yellowjackets went on to take a 24-20 lead behind two three's from Connie Urmanski (Edgar, Wis./Edgar) and a free throw from Hart with 3:58 showing on the clock.

UW-Platteville got a three from Claire Poad and two free throws from Liz Lawinger down the stretch for a 29-29 draw at the half.

Neither side was able to gain much of an advantage in the second half as the two teams traded early leads.  But with the game even 37-37 and13:17 left in regulation, the Pioneers went on a 12-3 run over the next 2:43 to take a 49-40 lead after two free throws by Poad with 10:29 on the clock.

The Yellowjackets cut the deficit to 56-55 with 3:19 on a driving layup by Linzmeier.

UW-Platteville held on down the stretch however, getting four key free throws from Lawinger in the final minute to seal the win.

UW-Superior was paced by Urmanski and Linzmeier with 15 points while Hart added 10.

Poad had 14 points for UW-Plattevile while Lawinger and Wellnitz each added 12.

Milestone Update: Hart's ten points give her 965 for her career, 15 shy of Ann DeBruin for seventh all-time.  Hart has 568 rebounds in her career, just 12 behind Stephanie Janigo for sixth place on the all-time list.  Bri Davis (Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown) crept to within three points of Geraldine Papenfuss on the all-time scoring list.  She now has 830.  She also tied Sherri Oldevak for 11th on the all-time rebound list with 467.  Urmanski tied Oldevak for tenth on the all-time assist list with 171. 

The Yellowjackets return home to host UW-Eau Claire Wednesday at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.  Opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.