Pioneers rally to beat No. 18 UW-La Crosse

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (17-3, 7-2 WIAC) ranked No. 12 on the D3hoops.com poll, defeated No. 18 UW-La Crosse (16-4, 5-4 WIAC) 91-87 on Wednesday Night. The Pioneers now have sole possession of first place in the WIAC standings.

First half

• The Pioneers fell behind 0-8 early, tied the game at 13-13 and four minutes later trailed 28-16 with 8:56 remaining.
• The Pioneers trailed 34-41 going into halftime. 
• Junior Quentin Shields had 11 points on 57.1% (4-of-7) shooting from the field and 66.7% (2-of-3) from three-point range. Shields also had two first half blocks.
• Junior Justin Stovall had eight points, knocking down all six free throws and added two blocks.
• The Pioneers shot 50% (12-of-24) from the field and 33.3% (3-of-9) from three-point range and the Eagles shot 55.6% (15-of-27) from the field and 44.4% (4-of-9) on three-point attempts.
• The Pioneers shot 100% (7-of-7) from the free throw line and UW-La Crosse shot 63.6% (7-of-11) from the free throw line.

Second half

• The Pioneers trailed 43-49 with 14:19 on the clock and Shields knocked down four three-pointers in the next five possessions to give the Pioneers a 55-51 lead. 
• Shields' 12 straight points led to a 22-4 run which included six points from junior Justin Fox.
• Junior Drew Gunnink scored 10 points in the half and made all of his attempts from the field (4-of-4) and behind the three-point line (2-of-2). 
• Stovall led the Pioneers with eight rebounds and junior Alex Ranney led the Pioneers with four assists.
• The Pioneers shot 55.2% (16-of-29) from the field and 54.5% (6-of-11) from three-point range while UW-La Crosse shot 38.5% (10-of-26) from the field and 41.7% (5-of-12) on three-pointers.
• The Pioneers shot 68.8% (11-of-16) from the free throw line while UW-La Crosse shot 69.2% (9-of-13). 

Notables 

• UW-Platteville improves to 17-3 overall, 7-2 WIAC.
• UW-La Crosse falls to 16-4 overall, 5-4 WIAC. 
• Shields finished with 23 points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and two blocks. Shields shot 66.7% (8-of-12) from the field and 85.7% (6-of-7) from three-point range.
• Stovall had 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Stovall shot 91.7% (11-of-12) from the free throw line.
• Sophomore Blake McCann led the Pioneers with five assists.
• UW-Platteville shot 52.8% (28-of-53) from the field and 45% (9-of-20) from beyond the three-point arc. UW-La Crosse shot 41% (32-of-78) from the field and 37.5% (9-of-24) from three-point territory.
• The Pioneers shot 78.3% (18-of-23) from the free throw line and the Eagles shot 66.7% (16-of-24).

Up next

The Pioneers travel to play UW-Stout on Saturday, February 8 at 3:00 pm.