Duax scores 16, Showalter posts double–double as Pioneers improve to 3–0

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — Three players scored in double figures to lead the University of Wisconsin–Platteville men's basketball team to a 77–58 non-conference victory over visiting Colorado College in the final game of the Gabe Miller Tip-Off Classic Saturday night.

Sophomore guard Robert Duax (Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead) scored a game-high 16 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks to pace the Pioneers, who improved to 3–0 on the season with the win. Duax scored 14 points in the first half to lead UW–Platteville to a 47–32 halftime lead.

Junior guard Jake Showalter (Germantown) recorded his first career double–double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench.

Colorado College forward John Hatch dunked just 12 seconds into the game as the Tigers jumped out to an early 7–2 lead through four minutes of play.

UW–Platteville slowly chipped away as Duax made a layup a minute later and then added a pair of free throws to tie the game at 9–9 with 14:21 left in the opening half.

Junior guards Trey Sigel (Rock Island, Ill.) and Matt Oestreich (Marshfield) scored back-to-back layups to give the Pioneers a 15–11 a minute later and UW–Platteville never trailed again.

Guard Cooxooeii Black converted a three-point play to pull the Tigers within six at 29–23, but the Pioneers closed the half on an 18­–9 run to build a 47–32 lead.

Oestreich scored four quick points to open the second half and a 3-pointer by senior forward Cory Vaassen (Dickeyville/Cuba City) made it a 20-point game at 54–34 with 18 minutes left in the game. Oestreich finished with 10 points and four boards. Vaassen added seven points and eight rebounds.

The Pioneers kept piling on and a triple by junior forward Dan Lowe (Byron, Ill.) gave coach Jeff Gard's club its largest lead off the night at 65­–44 with 7:31 left. 

Ryan Young finished the night with 10 points and four rebounds to lead the Tigers (1–1).

The Pioneers (3–0) will return to action Tuesday night when they travel to Wheaton (Ill.) to face Thunder. Wheaton (2­–1) defeated Luther College, 64­–51, and Heidelberg College (Ohio), 79–69, at its own tournament over the weekend.

By Jason Nihles, UW–Platteville Athletics