Undefeated Panthers challenge Pioneers at home

Written by: Jeremy Williamson, Sports Information Student Assistant

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The Pioneer men's basketball team (2-2) dropped game two of the Gabe Miller Tipoff Classic to the Davenport University Panthers (7-0), 73-61, Saturday night at Bo Ryan Court.

After falling behind early 9-4, the Pioneers evened the score up at 11 about halfway through the first period following a Boston Johnson jump shot and three-point basket by Cory Vaassen. Johnson led the Pioneers with 15 points and Vaassen finished the night with 13.

After trading baskets for several minutes Trey Sigel evened the game back up at 23 with 3:43 remaining in the half. The Panthers then expanded their lead with a 9-0 run to end the period, 32-23.

The Panthers continued their momentum into the second half as they went on a 12-8 run in the first five minutes, 44-31. The Pioneers closed the gap to four, 45-41, over the next three minutes with the help of a pair of Vaassen layups and a Matt Oestreich three-pointer. The Panthers were sent to the free throw line four times over the next five minutes which helped propel their lead back up to nine, 61-52. The nine-point differential would be the smallest score gap for the remainder of the game as the Panthers went on the win, 73-61.

Through the first four games Johnson leads the Pioneer scoring with 66 points shooting 23-47 from the field and 17-20 from the free throw line. He also leads the team in rebounds with 28 and assists with 11. Sigel leads the Pioneers from behind the arc with 10 three-pointers and Vaasen has snagged a team-high 11 steals.

The Pioneers travel to Luther College on Tuesday with tipoff set to begin at 8 p.m.