Gerber and Cross Lead the Pioneers Win Over UW-Eau Claire

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Junior duo Eric Gerber and Chas Cross combined for 33 points in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball, 56-48, victory over UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday night on Bo Ryan Court.

Gerber led the Pioneers (7-1, 2-0 WIAC) by going 3-6 from beyond the arc with 17 points and four assists. Cross added 16 points with nine rebounds and tied a career-high four blocks, while sophomore Jim Stocki scored nine points with five boards and three assists.

The Blugolds' (4-4, 0-2 WIAC) were led by Lewis Mau with a game-high 19 points and added seven rebounds, followed by Jordan Petersen with 10 points and four assists.

The Pioneers jumped out to a quick 12-1 by the first media timeout. UW-Platteville managed to take a 25-11 lead with 8:33 left in the first-half before UWEC scored 14 unanswered to tie the game up at 25-25 apiece at halftime.

Stocki's layup to open the second-half ended the Pioneers scoring drought, and put UW-Platteville back in rhythm as they scored on five of their next seven possessions to take a 39-31 lead at the 15:23 mark. The Blugolds clawed their way back to make it a single possession game, 40-38, with just over seven minutes left to play. UW-Platteville bounced right back to go on a 8-1 run for a nine point lead, 48-39 with 3:07 left in the game. UW-Eau Claire managed once again to get the game to a one possession game, 51-48, but Stocki nailed a clutch three-pointer with the shot clock running out to ice the game. Stocki sealed the win with a pair of free throws, 56-48.

Field goals were at a premium for both teams as UWEC shot just over 35 percent (20-56) while the Pioneers were 34 percent (18-53) from the floor.  The difference in the game were free throws, the Pioneers made 14 of 18 from the charity stripe.

UW-Platteville welcomes UW-Stout to Bo Ryan Court on Saturday at 4 p.m.