Battle tested Pioneers ready for postseason

Platteville, Wis.-The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball program claimed the program's 21st Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship with a pair of victories against UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point.  The Pioneers (22-3, 12-2 WIAC) are currently ranked #6 in the latest d3hoops.com national poll and ranked #1 in the Central region.  The Pioneers will enter the WIAC tournament (presented by Culver's) as the number one seed and host a semi-final game on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. on Bo Ryan Court.

The #1 seed Pioneers will host #4 seed UW-Eau Claire (18-8, 8-6 WIAC) on Thursday Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. on Bo Ryan Court.  The Blugolds defeated UW-Stevens Point in the first round of the WIAC playoffs (presented by Culver's) 65-59.  Matt Siverling is in his eight season as head coach of the Blugolds with a career record of 139-121.  Cole Ravedeaux led the Blugolds in scoring, averaging 19.8 points a game.  Carter Brooks was the leading rebounder, averaging 5.6 boards a game.

The Pioneers' depth was on display as the Pioneers defeated UW-Eau Claire 80-56 on Feb. 19. Five Pioneers scored in double figures; junior Drew Gunnink led the way with 14.  Senior, Carter Voelker had 13, sophomore Kyle Tuma had 12, sophomore Blake McCann had 11 and junior Quentin Shields chipped in with 10 points.  Voelker pulled down nine rebounds and had five steals, while four players dished out two assists apiece. 

The Pioneers used a 10-2 run mid-way through the second half to take the lead over UW-Stevens Point.  McCann three-point shot with 12:54 remaining gave the Pioneers the first lead of the game.  In the final 12:54, the game saw 13 lead changes and six ties, as the Pioneers held off the Pointers down the stretch for the 70-69 victory. Tuma led the Pioneers with 16 points, Shields chipped in 13 while junior Justin Stovall had 12.  Voelker led the Pioneers in rebounding pulling down 10.

Jeff Gard is in his 11th season as head coach, with a career record of 179-114, placing him 20th all-time in the WIAC.  Voelker finished the regular season seventh in the WIAC in scoring, averaging 15.4 points a game.  Shields (14.4), Stovall (10.7) and Tuma (10.6) all finished the regular season with double digit averages.   Stovall and Voelker finished fourth and fifth in the WIAC in rebounding in a virtual tie for team lead.  Stovall pulled down 6.5 boards a game and Voelker pulled down 6.4 a game.   Gunnink led the WIAC in three-point field goal percentage, shooting a crisp .515 (35-68).   Stovall finished second in the WIAC in blocked shots with 1.4 a game, while Voelker led the WIAC in assist to turnover ratio with a 1.74 mark. 

With the victory Feb. 19, the Pioneers completed the regular season sweep of the Blugolds.  The Pioneers won the first match up 60-53 on Jan. 11.  Voelker led the Pioneers with 15 points and eight rebounds.  Shields chipped in 12 points and seven boards of his own.  Spencer Page led the Blugolds with 18 points.

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UW Oshkosh will host the second semi-final game against UW-La Crosse.  The highest seed of the semi-final winners will host the finals on Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.   Winner of the WIAC post season tournament (presented by Culver's) will receive the automatic bid to the NCAA III tournament.  The full NCAA field will be announced March 3 at 11:30 a.m. during the NCAA Selection Show.