Pioneers fall, but give in annual Suits and Sneakers game

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s basketball team fell to UW-La Crosse on Saturday 79-71 for the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers game and alumni day at Williams Fieldhouse.

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Pioneers fall, but give in annual Suits and Sneakers game
January 30, 2016

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. —The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team fell to UW-La Crosse on Saturday 79-71 for the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers game and alumni day at Williams Fieldhouse.

Junior Cory Vaassen played well for the Pioneers, who fell to 9-9 on the season, logging a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds in the loss. Senior Boston Johnson also had a stellar game, recording 17 points and nine rebounds against the Eagles.

After a slow start to the first half, the Pioneers were down 43-20 at the break, and had some catching up to do in the second half.

With a quick five points from Vaassen early in the second half, the Pioneers found their rhythm, shrinking the margin to two at 63-61 with three minutes remaining in the game.

Unfortunately, this would be the closest the Pioneers would get to the Eagles, who used their free throws to pass the Pioneers at the end of the game to give them the 79-71 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win.

In total, the Suits and Sneakers game raised $1,020.75 for the American Cancer Society and National Brain Tumor Society during the crowd donation bucket run, the 653-person crowd filled with grey to represent Brain Cancer Awareness.

The Pioneers continue WIAC play on Wednesday, Feb. 3 at UW-Oshkosh at 7 p.m.

Written by: Carly Willman, University Information and Communications, 608.342.1194, willmanc@uwplatt.edu