Pioneers pick up road win against Warhawks

WHITEWATER, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball (4-1, 4-1 WIAC) used eight straight points midway through the first half to take the lead and never look back while on the road Wednesday night at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (1-3, 1-3 WIAC). The Pioneers' 79-69 win in Kachel Gymnasium marks the third straight victory over the WIAC rival.

UW-Platteville gave up just six turnovers to the Warhawks' 14 and shot a season high 92.9 percent ( 13-14) from the foul line.

Sinking 6-of-6 free throws was Quentin Shields (Sr./Chicago, Ill.) who had a team high 18 points and game-high seven assists.

Three more Pioneers hit double digits with Kyle Tuma (Jr./ Valders, Wis.)  tallying a season high 17 points while Justin Stovall (Sr./Chicago, Ill.) and Drew Gunnink (Sr./Brandon, Wis.) each added 14 points.

The Pioneers and Warhawks traded the lead consistently through the first ten minutes of play, but a 7-0 run that began with a made 3-point shot by Gunnink gave the Pioneers a 27-20 lead with 9:13 left in the half. UW-Whitewater would get as close as 35-32 later in the half, but the Pioneers strengthened their lead to 41-34 before heading into the locker room. 

The Pioneers never allowed UW-Whitewater the opportunity to cut the deficit in the second half to fewer than five with 13:09 remaining. The Warhawks were able to draw back within six at the 7:08 mark, but UW-Platteville strengthened the lead to ten by the conclusion of the half.

UW-Platteville shot 59.2 percent (29-49) from the floor with 47.1 percent (8-17) from behind the 3-point arc.

Overall, UW-Whitewater shot 54.2 percent (26-48) from the field, 43.8 percent (7-16) from 3-point territory and was 83.3 percent (10-12) from the free-throw line.

The Pioneers and Warhawks will return to action and move to Bo Ryan Court for game two of the week on Friday at 7 p.m.