Men's Basketball Topples the Titans, 67-55

OSHKOSH, Wis. - A career night by sophomore Jim Stocki propelled the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team to a 67-55 victory over UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday night in the Kolf Sports Center. 

Stocki tallied a career-high five three-pointers on seven attempts for a career-best 19 points. Junior Chas Cross recorded his second straight double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore Jake Manning rounded out the Pioneers' (13-6, 6-4 WIAC) top scorers with 12 points. 

Cory Nickel and Jade Royston led the Titans (6-12, 1-8 WIAC) with 15 points apiece as Dylan Wurtz and Sean Wise each added eight points. 

The Titans jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead, but the Pioneers finally found their rhythm and a pair of three-pointers by Cross helped give UW-Platteville a 11-9 lead with just under 15 minutes left in the half. A layup by Wurtz gave UWO a 31-23 lead with just over two minutes to intermission and in the final two minutes UW-Platteville held the Titans scoreless decreasing its deficit to 29-31 at halftime. 

Manning scored the first four points of the second-half giving the Pioneers the lead, 33-31, and with that lead UW-Platteville never looked back. The Pioneers countered every Titan attack, when the UWO came within two possessions UW-Platteville responded right back by putting its lead back to three possessions. The Pioneers made 7-8 free throws down the stretch earning the 67-55 victory. 

UW-Platteville welcomes UW-River Falls as well as its alumni for Alumni Day on Saturday. Tip is set for 3 p.m. on Bo Ryan Court.