DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College women's basketball team dropped its season opener to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers, 59-57, on Saturday afternoon inside the Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center.

The Duhawks and Pioneers played a closely contested contest that featured five ties and seven lead changes.

Loras (0-1 overall, 0-0 American Rivers Conference) trailed by two at the half, but outscored the Pioneers, 18-10, in the third quarter and took a six-point lead into the fourth quarter.

UW-Platteville (1-0, 0-0 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) opened the quarter with a basket by Madalyn Reichman and a three-pointer by Ella Mackiewicz to cut the Loras lead to one (47-46). After a Claire Wagner layup, the Pioneers went on a 10-6 run to take a 57-52 lead with 1:54 remaining. After a layup by UW-Platteville, Kylie Rigby connected on a three to cut the lead to four (59-55).

With the press on for the Duhawk defense, Ashtyn Kelderman forced a turnover that led to a basket on the other end to cut the lead to two (59-57). The following possession, the Duhawk defense forced a back court violation. Loras got one more look from three to win the game, but its comeback attempt came up short.

Wagner led the Purple and Gold with a game-high 20 points and also grabbed five rebounds. Kelderman added 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, which included three three-pointers. The Duhawks shot 38 percent (19-of-50) from the floor on the night and 23.8 percent (5-of-21) from beyond the arc.

UW-Platteville was led by Mackiewicz who had 18 points and Tatum Weir who followed with 14 points. The Pioneers were an efficient 40 percent from three, connecting on 6-of-15 attempts.

Up Next: Loras will travel to Greenville, Ill. to take on Greenville University on Nov. 11. Game time is set for 5 p.m. inside H.J. Long Gymnasium.