Men's Basketball falls to Whitworth

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball fell to Whitworth, 84-77, on Sunday in the final day of the D3hoops.com Classic in the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Pioneers struggled from the free throw line, shooting 50 percent (9-18) and 22.2 percent (2-9) in the second half. The Pirates made 23-for-29 for 79.3 percent and shot 51.8 percent from the field.

The Pioneers had five players score in double-figures with junior Jim Stocki led the way with 17 points. Stocki made five of the Pioneers 10 three pointers. Senior Chas Cross netted 16 points, while classmate Eric "Skip" Gerber added 14. Junior Jake Manning and freshman Cory Vaassen each scored 10 apiece.

Whitworth tallied seven players with seven or more points with Colton McCargar leading all scorers with 21 points.

Stocki gave the Pioneers a seven point lead, 23-16, at the 12:33 mark of the first half, after drilling three consecutive three-pointers. The Pioneers took their largest lead of the game, 34-23, with 6:20 till halftime. The Pirates used a 12-1 run to end the half, tying the game up at 43-43.

Whitworth continued its momentum in the second half and never allowed the Pioneers to retake the lead. The Pirates didn't allow the Pioneers to make a run and took their largest lead of 11 points at the 4:54 mark.

The Pioneers return to conference play on Saturday, January 4 at UW-Superior at 3 p.m.