Pioneer Men's Basketball tops Monarchs

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team improved to 8-3 on the year with 58-51 victory over Methodist on Sunday afternoon at Riddle Center.

Jake Manning led the Pioneers with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Cory Vaassen added 10 points and five boards.

A slow start by the Pioneers put them in a 14-6 hole early in the first half. UW-Platteville finally got on track and used an 18-4 run with eight of its points coming from Manning to take a 24-18 lead at the 7:05 mark. Methodist responded to the Pioneers' run by scoring the next six points to tie it up at 26-26 with just under six minute till the break. A layup by MU's Joey Horne in the final minute gave the Monarchs a 32-30 advantage at halftime.

The Pioneers held the Monarchs scoreless for a five-minute stretch in the second half, gaining a 47-40 lead with 7:17 left to play. Methodist managed to cut its deficit back to a one-possession game before Jim Stocki drilled a three-pointer to make it a two-score game, 53-47, with 2:42 left in the game. The Pioneers made their free throws down the stretch to seal the 58-51 victory.

UW-Platteville finishes up its North Carolina trip on Tuesday when the Pioneers take on William Peace at 3 p.m. local time.