Pioneers Squash Yellowjackets, 96-55

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team routed UW-Superior, 96-55, on Saturday afternoon in the Williams Fieldhouse on Bo Ryan Court.

Junior Chas Cross scored a game-high 22 points all coming in the first-half, and finished the game with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Senior Marcus Jackson recorded a career-high 18 points by going a perfect 7-7 from the floor and 2-2 from the free throw line with 16 points in the second-half; while Jake Manning added 14 points. The Pioneers top-three scorers combined for 22-30 (73%) from the floor as the Pioneers as a whole shot 64.1-percent (41-64).

The Yellowjackets didn't have anyone score more than nine points and shot 17-47 (36.2%) from the floor. Brendan Bauer and Austin Cahil led the team with nine points apiece. Johnquez Brooks dished out a game-high seven assists to go with his three points, four boards and two steals.

Both teams started out hot scoring in each of their first two possessions, 5-5, but the Pioneers turned up the heat and went on a six minute 19-2 run, taking a 24-7 lead. UW-Platteville never let up on the Yellowjackets and took its largest lead of the half of 29 points, 40-11, with just under six minutes till intermission. The Pioneers took a 50-24 lead into halftime and out scored UWS 24-6 in the paint and 17-0 off turnovers.

In the second-half, UW-Superior never got closer than 23 points. Jackson scored an easy layup with 5:42 to play, going the Pioneers a 31-point lead, 77-46. Freshman Boston Johnson recorded his only two points of the game in the Pioneers' final possession giving UW-Platteville the 96-55 victory.

The Pioneers welcome No. 12 UW-Whitewater on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Wednesday's contest is Platteville High School Night where PHS students get in free with a valid student I.D. and Platteville High School parents will receive a discount on reserve seats.