Late Scoring Run Sends Pioneers To Third Straight Win
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – A strong performance down the stretch handed the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s basketball team (10-6, 3-2) its third consecutive conference win on Wednesday night. The Pioneers defeated UW-Eau Claire (11-5, 3-2 WIAC) 87-80 on the road inside the W.L. Zorn Arena.
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wis.-Platteville
10-6,3-2 WIAC
|
31 | 56 | 87 |
|
Wis.-Eau Claire
11-5,3-2 WIAC
|
37 | 43 | 80 |
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | Wis.-Platteville | Wis.-Eau Claire |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (28-54) | (26-56) |
| Field Goal % | 51.9% | 46.4% |
| Rebounds | 31 | 30 |
| Assists | 7 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 13 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 21 | 10 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 13 | 8 |
| Pts in the Paint | 34 | 32 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 17 | 2 |
| Bench Pts | 14 | 29 |
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – A strong performance down the stretch handed the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (10-6, 3-2) its third consecutive conference win on Wednesday night. The Pioneers defeated UW-Eau Claire (11-5, 3-2 WIAC) 87-80 on the road inside the W.L. Zorn Arena.
The Blugolds got out to a quick 7-0 lead before sophomore Julian Samuels got the Pioneers on the board with a jumper. UW-Platteville later tied the game at nine behind a seven-point run of their own, but UW-Eau Claire scored the next five to regain the lead. The Blugolds maintained a slim lead until junior Logan Pearson put the Pioneers ahead 23-22 for the first time on a jumper with 6:15 left in the half. UW-Eau Claire answered with another seven-point run and the hosts held a 37-31 advantage at the break.
The Pioneers cut the deficit down to three twice in the early portion of the second half on consecutive possessions, but the Blugolds answered both times and extended the lead to eight at 45-37 with 15:29 to play. Midway through the half, UW-Platteville got back within one on several occasions until a seven-point run put the Pioneers up 63-62 with 6:52 on the clock. Three-point makes by Samuels and sophomore Brady Olson put the visitors up three and a eight-point run in the closing minutes gave the Pioneers a 79-69 lead with 1:35 left. The Blugolds got as close as five in the final minute, but the Pioneers hung on for an 87-80 win.
Three Pioneers reached double figures, with Samuels and Olson tying for the team lead with 22 points and Pearson adding 20. Samuels and Olson also tied for the team-lead with six rebounds, while Pearson grabbed five. UW-Platteville put together one of its best shooting performances of the season, converting 51.9 percent (28-of-54) from the floor and 47.4 percent (9-of-19) from deep.
Brock Voight led the way for the Blugolds with 18 points while Spencer Page scored 16 points off the bench. UW-Eau Claire shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) in the game including 40.9 percent (9-of-22) from three.
The Pioneers return home on Saturday to face conference foe UW-River Falls at 7 p.m.
*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.