Men's Basketball defeats Buena Vista

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- Four of the Pioneer starters scored in double-figures in the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team 70-55 victory over Buena Vista on Bo Ryan Court on Saturday. 

Boston Johnson led all scorers with 19 points and went 13-13 from the free throw line and was one more make away from tying a 51-year-old school record. Johnson also had five assists and three rebounds. Jim Stocki netted 12 points, while Jake Manning and Matt Oestreich each recorded 11 points. 

The Beavers jumped out to an early 8-6 lead, but the Pioneers put together a seven-minute 19-0 run, taking a 25-8 lead at the 9:15. The layup by Wes Nemitz that gave the Pioneers the 25-8 was their final field goal in the first half. BV answered the Pioneers' run with an 11-0 run. Johnson made six free throws in the final three minutes of the half to keep the Pioneers ahead, 31-25, at intermission. 

UW-Platteville shot a season-low 34 percent from the field in the opening half, but outscored BV 18-7 on points off turnovers. 

BV managed to cut its deficit to five points, 40-35, with 14:15 left to play. The Pioneers halted all of the Beavers' momentum by rattling off nine consecutive points in just over two minutes, 49-35. UW-Platteville never allowed BV to make another run and kept its lead in double-digits in the final 12 minutes of action. 

The Pioneers open conference play on Wednesday at UW-La Crosse. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Mitchell Hall.