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Upset bid falls short
Platteville hangs tough, but loses to undefeated Green Devils
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Junior Julia Lawinger scored 11 points in Friday nights 47-36 WIAA Divison 3 regional semifinal loss to unbeaten Adams-Friendship. - photo by file photo - Jason Nihles

     Platteville was up to the task of playing the role of David to Adams-Friendship's Goliath only this time David ran out of time.
     The Hillmen pulled within six points of the top-seeded and second-ranked Green Devils late in Friday night's WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal, but with just 1:25 remaining Platteville didn't have enough time to complete the comeback and what would have been a storybook upset.
     Undefeated Adams-Friendship converted 5-of-6 free throws in the final 80 seconds and senior Cassie Kogel got loose for a breakaway layup as the Green Devils held on for a 47-36 victory.
     Adams-Friendship (24-0) went on to defeat Lodi, 44-29, a night later to win the regional title. The Devils will face SWC champion Richland Center this Thursday night in the sectional semifinal round.
     Platteville ended its season 14-10 overall.
     "It was a hard fought game. We let it get away a little bit in the third quarter and just ran out of time," said Hillmen head coach Wayne Jentz. "We also didn't take advantage of their mistakes in the first half. Whenever we forced a turnover we turned it over right back. We had a chance to build a lead in the first half, but we didn't capitalize.
     "But I'm proud of the effort. We battled and played hard the entire game. We just came up a little short."
A-F outscored the Hillmen 14-5 in the third quarter and lead 33-18 entering the final quarter before Elisa Bilderback led a furious Platteville comeback.
     She scored 10 points in the final eight minutes, including a post move and a pair of free throws on back-to-back possessions to pull Platteville within seven at 39-32 with 2:03 remaining.
     The Hillmen then had three chances to pull even closer, but missed back-to-back bunnies on one possession, then failed to convert the front end of a bonus free throw situation on the next.
     After a Kogel free throw, Bilderback scored on a nice feed from junior guard Stephanie Philipps to make it 40-34 with 1:25 to play, but A-F scored the next seven points.
     Bilderback finished with 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting. Junior Julia Lawinger added 11 points and three rebounds.