Cross' Double-double Leads Men's Basketball Over UW-Eau Claire

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Junior Chas Cross recorded his six double-double of the season in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team's victory over UW-Eau Claire, 76-65, on Wednesday in Zorn Arena. 

Cross grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds and a scored a game-high 17 points for his sixth career double-double. The Winnebago, Ill. native, dished out a career-tying five assists and tallied a career-tying four blocks. The sophomore duo of Jake Manning and Jim Stocki combined for 27 points with Manning netting 14 and Stocki scoring 13. Senior Rob Stallion rounded out the Pioneers' top scorers with 11 points. 

The Blugolds' Nick Craggs earned his own double-double with 15 points and 12 boards. Dustin Kalien recorded 12 points and a team-high three assists, while Eric Effertz scored 11 points off the bench. 

The Pioneers never allowed UW-Eau Claire to lead and took a 29-15 lead with just under six minute left in the half. Cross scored four of the Pioneers final seven points of the half as UW-Platteville took a 39-26 lead at the break. 

The Pioneers managed to push their lead to 20 points, 64-44, with just over eight minutes to play. Over a seven-minute stretch late in the second, the Blugolds went on an 18-7 run to get back within nine points, 71-62, with just over a minute left. UW-Platteville sealed the game with a 5-3 run to win by 11, 76-65.

UW-Platteville will face UW-La Crosse on Tuesday, Feb. 19 in the opening round of the WIAC Tournament. The Pioneers will host Tuesday's contest if UW-La Crosse loses on Saturday, but if the Eagles win on Saturday they will earn the four-seed and host the opening round.