Pioneers finish 1-1 at Thanksgiving Classic

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville got back to their winning ways Saturday afternoon, downing Millikin 74-60 in their final game of the Rocky Mountain Thanksgiving Classic.

The first half between the Pioneers (4-1) and Big Blue (3-1) was a back and forth affair that included nine lead changes and four ties. Neither team led by more than five points, but UW-Platteville was able to put together a small run at the end of the half to take a 36-32 advantage into the break.

Millikin scored the first nine points of the second half to take their biggest lead of the game at 41-36. UW-Platteville chipped away and retook the lead with 10:48 left in the second half on a 3-pointer from Justin Stovall. The Pioneers went on to outscore the Big Blue 23-12 the rest of the game.

Four Pioneers scored double digits including Carter Voelker who had a season high 16 points. He shot 5-of-9 overall and 3-of-5 on threes.  Alex Ranney added a career high 14 points including going 5-of-6 at the free throw line. Matt Oestreich and Robert Duax each contributed 12 points. Oestreich had a team high four assists and Duax a team high six rebounds.

Voelker averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in the Pioneers' two games at the Rocky Mountain Thanksgiving Classic and was named to the all-tournament team.

UW-Platteville returns home to face Illinois Tech on Wednesday, Nov. 29^th with tip-off at 8 p.m.