Pioneers Team Up to Defeat UW-Stout 70-59

For the first time on the season, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s basketball team had four players in double digits en route to a 70-59 win over UW-Stout on Saturday afternoon at Bo Ryan Court.

The Pioneers (12-10, 6-7 WIAC) were led by senior Brett Stangel, who scored 20 points to pace UW-Platteville.

He was joined in double digits by freshman Jake Manning and sophomore Chas Cross, who each scored 14 and junior Rob Stallion added 10. Stallion also had a game-high nine rebounds in the win.

The Blue Devils (6-15, 1-11 WIAC) were led by Jarvis Ragland and Erik Olson, who scored 15 and 12 points, respectively.

After a hot-shooting first half, where the Pioneers shot 50% from the field, they held just a two-point lead at the half. To lead the attack for the Pioneers was Manning, who had 12 of his first 14 in the first 20 minutes.

The Blue Devils started the second half with a 7-2 spurt to take a 34-31 lead with 16:17 left to play. The contest remained close and back and forth until the fourth tie of the game when Stallion put the Pioneers ahead 44-42 with 11:38 to go and for rest of the contest. UW-Stout came back to cut the deficit to two, again, 47-45 with 7:10 to go.

Then, the Pioneers answered with an 11-2 run that ended any chances for a UW-Stout comeback. UW-Platteville spread the scoring around as Eric Gerber made a layup, Brett Stangel hit his third 3 pointer of the game, Rob Stallion made two free throws and Matt Weik knocked down a jumper. Later in the half, the Pioneers stretched the lead to as much as 15 to close out the contest.

The Pioneers will now turn their attention to face UW-Whitewater on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Bo Ryan Court. Fans are encouraged to wear orange and visit the UW-Platteville Athletics Facebook page and click ‘like’ on the Jeff Gard picture. With 1,000 likes, the Pioneer head coach will wear his orange sport coat for the game.