Pioneers rally late to slip past UW-Superior

Brynn Liljander had a game-high 23 points for the Yellowjackets.

Box Score

Platteville 82, Superior 77

The UW-Superior women's basketball expected a tough challenge against the home-standing UW-Platteville Pioneers Wednesday night. And while the Yellowjackets found themselves holding a lead for most the evening, a late run from the Pioneers proved to be too much as UW-Platteville rallied for an 82-77 victory at Williams Fieldhouse.

The loss dropped UW-Superior to 10-5 overall and 5-2 in the WIAC while the Pioneers continued their undefeated run at home during conference play.

UW-Platteville (11-5, 4-3) took an early lead when a Rachel Cropp jumper gave the Pioneers a 9-4 edge with 17:30 left in the opening half.

The Pioneers continued to hold the advantage over the next 8:14 until a Brynn Liljander (Isanti, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti) three-pointer gave UW-Superior their first lead of the night at 22-21 with 9:16 remaining in the opening stanza. Two free throws from Allyssa Lindberg (Marquette, Mich./Marquette) along with a layup from Grace Kennedy (Wausau, Wis./Newman Catholic) eventually upped the Yellowjackets' edge to 26-21 at the 8:16 mark.

UW-Platteville came right back, retaking the lead at 31-30 on a score by Taylor Buckmaster before a score by Carmen Watson (Milwaukee, Wis./James Madison) and consecutive jumpers from Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) and Vanessa Lebens (Roseville, Minn./Roseville Area) helped UW-Superior take a 36-33 edge into the intermission.

The Yellowjackets expanded their edge to 50-44 with 14:17 remaining in regulation on a layup from Watson and still held a 59-53 lead after another three-pointer from Liljander at the 10:26 mark of the second half.

But the Pioneers scored 10 of the next 12 points to take a 63-61 advantage on two free throws by Cropp with 7:41 showing on the clock.

The two sides traded scores from there until two free throws by Elisa Bilderback and a layup by Alyssa Krajco put the Pioneers in front 71-67.

UW-Superior never led again as Cropp converted on three straight free throws and Stacy Clark knocked down a jumper with just 1:13 left to give UW-Platteville a 76-69 cushion. Five free throws from Mykaela Brandt and an additional foul shot from Krajco in the last 48 seconds sealed the victory for UW-Platteville.

Offensively, the Yellowjackets were paced by Liljander's game-high 23 points. Linzmeier finished with 16 points for UW-Superior as well.

Clark and Krajco each finished with 19 points for the Pioneers while Cropp added 17.

The Yellowjackets return home to host UW-Stout Saturday. Opening tip against the Blue Devils is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game can be heard on tape delay starting at 5 p.m. on 91.3 FM with Matt Johnson on the call.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#2 Grace Kennedy: F; 5' 10"; Junior

#44 Vanessa Lebens: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#1 Brynn Liljander: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#23 Allyssa Lindberg: F; 5' 11"; Junior

#33 Sally Linzmeier: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#53 Carmen Watson: F; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Grace Kennedy
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F

#44 Vanessa Lebens
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#1 Brynn Liljander
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Allyssa Lindberg
: 5' 11"; Junior
: F

#33 Sally Linzmeier
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#53 Carmen Watson
: 5' 8"; Junior
: F