Pioneers come up just short at UW–La Crosse with 91–86 loss

LA CROSSE — Sophomore Robert Duax (Dubuque/Hempstead) scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed six rebounds, but it couldn't end UW–Platteville's losing streak.

Host UW–La Crosse handed coach Jeff Gard's Pioneers their fifth straight loss in a 91–86 shootout Saturday night at UWL's Mitchell Hall.

Junior point guard Matt Oestreich (Marshfield) hit four 3-pointers and added 18 points, four rebounds and four assists. Junior guard Trey Sigel (16 points) and senior forward Cory Vaassen (11 points, 7 rebounds) also scored in double figures for the Pioneers, who fell to 8–13 overall and 1–9 in the WIAC. Sophomore center Nathan Cokenour chipped in a season-high six points and six boards.

Ben Meinholz scored a team-high 20 points and had four steals to lead the Eagles, who improved to 11–10, 3–7. Zach Schradle added 19 points and a team-high eight boards for the winners.

UW–La Crosse shot 57.4 percent (31 of 54) including 4 of 9 from 3-point land, and converted 25 of 34 free throws. The Eagles led 45–34 at the half and never trailed in the final 20 minutes.

The Pioneers got as close at three points at 79–76 on a Vaassen layup with 2:10 left in the game, but UWL closed the game on a 10–3 run over the next 1:31 to build a comfortable 89–79 lead.

UW–Platteville shot 46.7 percent (28 of 60) in the game, including 8 of 25 from beyond 3-point line.

The Pioneers will return to action Wednesday at home against UW–Eau Claire at 7 p.m. The Blugolds (15–6, 5–5 WIAC) suffered a 61–54 loss to UW–Stevens Point on Saturday.

By Jason Nihles, UW–Platteville Athletics