Three-pointers lift Eagles above Pioneers in WIAC opener
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s basketball team opened the 2015-16 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season with an 88-57 loss to the hot-shooting UW-La Crosse Eagles on Wednesday in La Crosse, Wis.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. —The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team opened the 2015-16 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season with an 88-57 loss to the hot-shooting UW-La Crosse Eagles on Wednesday in La Crosse, Wis.
Senior Boston Johnson played well for the Pioneers in the loss, logging 16 points and six rebounds.
With 12:29 remaining in the first half, the Eagles went on an 18-3 run to lead 29-11 before the Pioneers could respond with a Cory Vaassen three-pointer. After continuing the battle, La Crosse went on another run to boost it to a 47-22 lead at the half.
After the break, the Pioneers tried to close the gap, but couldn't cut the lead to less than 24.
As a team, the Pioneers shot 31.8% from the field, including eight of 27 from three-point range, and seven of nine at the free throw line.
The Eagles shot 62.1% from the field in the first 20 minutes alone, including nine of 15 from three-point range, and shot an overall season-high 57.1% for the game.
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 9 against UW-Oshkosh at Williams Fieldhouse at 7:00 p.m.
Written by: Carly Willman, University Information and Communications, 608.342.1194, willmanc@uwplatt.edu