Defense powers Pioneers

LA CROSSE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team defeated the University of Wiscosin-La Crosse Eagles, 68-55, Saturday night on the road in Mitchell Hall. The Pioneers handed UWL its first home loss of the season and avenged an earlier loss to the Eagles.  With Saturday's victory the Pioneers improve to 13-7, 6-3 WIAC as the Eagles fall to 15-6, 8-2 WIAC.

The Pioneers were ready defensively from the start making the Eagles work for every basket in the first half. The Eagles shot 33.3% from the field and only 25.0% from the three-point line. The Pioneers out-rebounded the Eagles 21-17 in the first half holding the Eagles to only one shot.

The second half was not much different with the Pioneers again holding the Eagles to 33.3% shooting from the field. Junior Carter Voelker was an individual defensive spotlight holding WIAC All-Conference player Ben Meinholz to 9 points on 3-9 shooting while forcing Meinholz into 7 turnovers.

Senior Clay Gerds did an exceptional job protecting the rim finishing the game with 4 blocks and made almost every shot around the rim difficult.

Senior Rob Duax was a bright spot offensively finishing with 20 points on 8-16 shooting from the field. Carter Voelker finished with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Sophomore Quentin Shields also contributed a solid game finishing with 10 points and 7 rebounds.

The Pioneers have a quick turnaround returning to action at UW-Eau Claire on Monday Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.