DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Loras women's basketball team defended their home court on Saturday in a 77-56 victory over UW-Platteville. The Duhawks utilized a fast-paced offense and quick ball movement to ultimately upend the Pioneers. Junior Kat Cabrera led Loras with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor.

TURNING POINT
With 3:08 remaining in the third quarter, sophomore Miranda Chapman drained a 3-pointer to put Loras up 45-34. This marked the first time the Duhawks took a double-digit lead over the Pioneers. While UW-Platteville did manage to bring the game to within nine points a few plays later, with free throws from Emma Noel, Loras quickly regained and widened their double-digit deficit.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Duhawks began the game in a fast-paced manner with senior Kaitlin Phillips scoring off the opening tip. UW-Platteville responded in similar fashion scoring on their very next possession. This beginning three minutes of momentum was followed by two scoreless minutes with Loras leading 6-5.

Loras began to pull away from UW-Platteville after junior Lori Obendorf scored a layup followed by two free throws from junior Erin Weaver. This run didn't last long, however, as Emma Noel and Lexis Macomber recorded two baskets for the Pioneers to make it 10-9 in favor of Loras. The Duhawks only attempted one 3-pointer in the first quarter, capitalizing on opportunities inside the arc. After 10 minutes of play Loras led 15-11 with eight of those points being in the paint and seven being free throws.   

Second Quarter
Loras and UW-Platteville exchanged small surges of scoring during the second quarter. The Duhawks began an eight point run with back-to-back fast break dishes to junior Kat Cabrera on the wing. Energy continued to build as Phillips converted on two free-throws and Weaver successfully drained a jumper from the floor.

UW-Platteville halted the Duhawks' run with a steal and fast break layup by Kassie Hansen. The Pioneers completed a six-point stretch before consecutive baskets from junior Terese McMahon and freshman Kennedy Wohlford. Despite another five unanswered points by UW-Platteville, the Duhawks held on to a 29-25 lead entering halftime.

Third Quarter
The Pioneers tied the game at 29 to start the second half, but Loras quickly pulled away. Weaver's baseline jumper was followed by a steal and fast-break layup by Cabrera. Chapman's 3-pointer late in the quarter made it 45-34 Loras and gave the Duhawks full control of the game.

UW-Platteville converted on two free-throws the following possession to diminish Loras' lead, but the Duhawks swiftly responded and never looked back. Loras ended the third quarter on an 8-2 run thanks to Cabrera, senior Abby Reinke and sophomore Lauren Stanich all contributed to the scoring effort to put the Duhawks ahead 53-38 after three quarters.   

Fourth Quarter
Determined to keep their lead, the Duhawks started the fourth quarter like the first, fast-paced. Stanich scored off a drive through the lane on the opening whistle. On the next possession, Obendorf blocked the shot by the Pioneers' Elisa Bilderback shot and passed it to Phillips for a fast break opportunity that Weaver completed.

The Pioneers attempted to start a comeback fueled by 10 fourth quarter points from Elisa Bilderback, but the Duhawks created a wide enough gap to maintain their lead. Loras ended the game on a 14-4 run to secure a 77-56 victory over the Pioneers.

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Kat Cabrera | Cabrera led all scorers with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. In addition, she recorded four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The junior was a main contributor to the Duhawks' ability to create such a large deficit against UW-Platteville.

SOUNDBITES | Justin Heinzen


SOUNDBITES | Kat Cabrera


SOUNDBITES | Erin Weaver


UP NEXT
The Duhawks will travel to Rock Island, Illinois to face Augustana on Wednesday, Dec. 2. The Vikings (3-2) suffered a 56-50 loss to Webster on Saturday.