Pioneers remain undefeated with 78-29 victory over Fontbonne

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's basketball team (3-0) remains undefeated after a 78-29 victory over Fontbonne University (1-2) on Bo Ryan Court. Senior guard Morgan Horstman recorded the Pioneers' first double-double of the season in Friday night's win with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Notes from the Pioneers

"I think the key tonight was our discipline on the defensive end," said Horstman.  "To me, the biggest factor in the start of this season has been our ability to work hard and work together.  We have been focusing on one game at a time and just getting better every day." 

First half

• The Pioneers broke out of the gates early with a 14-4 lead after the first quarter where the Griffins only managed to find the scoreboard off four free-throws.
• The second quarter was the highest scoring period of the game where the Pioneers shot 64.3% (9-of-14) from the field while Fontbonne shot a team high 37.5% (6-of-16).
• Overall, the Pioneers shot 51.9% (14-of-27) from the field while the Griffins shot 18.8% (6-of-32) in the first half.
• UW-Platteville entered the half leading Fontbonne 36-18.

Second half

• UW-Platteville held the Griffins to a mere 11 points in the second half including just three points in the third quarter.
• The largest lead of 50 over Fontbonne came at the end of the fourth quarter.
• The Pioneers were a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.
• The Pioneers shot 50.0% (15-of-30) from the field during the second half, while the Griffins hit just 12.5% (3-of-24).

Notables 

• UW-Platteville improved to 3-0 on the season which marks the first time in program history since three Pioneer victories opened the 2009-10 season.
• Fontbonne fell to 1-2 overall.
• The Pioneers tallied 12 points off 17 turnovers and held a 53-22 advantage in rebounds.
• UW-Platteville took the lead first and maintained the advantage for the entirety of the competition. The Pioneers have yet to trail any team this season. 
• Horstman added two assists, one block, and one steal to her double-double.
• Sophomore post Taylor Gilbert reached double figures with 10 points and pulled down five rebounds with one block.
• Junior guard Maiah Domask finished with nine points, seven boards, two assists, and two steals. 
• UW-Platteville finished 50.9% (29-of-57) from the field with 42 points in the paint and were just 18.2% (4-of-22) from beyond the three-point arc. Fontbonne finished 9-of-56 (16.1%) and 9.7% (3-of-31) from the three-point line.
• The Pioneers finished 76.2% (16-of-21) from the free throw line while the Griffins were 66.7% (8-of-12). 

Remarks from Coach McNiff

"I'm pleasantly surprised by our start to the season," said head coach Kelly McNiff.  "We've asked our players to focus on getting a little better each day and I think for the most part, we've done that." In regards to the importance of buy-in from upper classmen, McNiff added, "When you have seniors and all-conference players making a conscious effort to do what we as a staff have been preaching, it's that much easier for the team as a whole to buy in.  Put that all together and that's why we've enjoyed a 3-0 start."

Up next

The Pioneers will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. when they host the University of Chicago Maroons on Bo Ryan Court.