Win Streak Reaches Four As Pioneers Defeat Falcons

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (11-6, 4-2 WIAC) picked up its fourth straight conference win with a 79-66 win over UW-River Falls (8-9, 2-4 WIAC) on Saturday night on Bo Ryan Court.

Sophomore Julian Samuels found some shooting success early for the Pioneers as he knocked down threes on back-to-back possessions to put the hosts ahead by four. The lead increased to eight two minutes after on a layup by freshman Gavin Ralph and UW-Platteville held a multiple possession advantage until a five-point Falcons run made the score 23-22 with 8:12 left in the half. With 2:22 remaining until halftime, UW-River Falls took a one-point lead at 32-31 but freshman Max Love converted a layup to put the Pioneers back in front. A Falcons jumper in the closing seconds of the half sent the game into half tied at 34.

Both offenses made buckets coming out the break, with sophomore Brady Olson highlighting the UW-Platteville scoring with a pair of made threes. Olson continued to make shots, including a pair of tough makes to put the Pioneers up 62-55 with 8:02 left. The Falcons got back within five a couple minutes later, but buckets by junior Logan Pearson, senior Brad Nies, and Olson increased the lead up to 11 at 75-64 with 1:26 on the clock. Samuels and Pearson closed the game for the Pioneers at the free throw line for a 79-66 win.

Samuels paced UW-Platteville with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting while grabbing six rebounds. Olson finished with 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Pearson added 13 points and led the team with seven rebounds and five assists. A strong shooting second half propelled the Pioneers to a 52.8 shooting percentage (28-of-53) including 31.6 percent (6-of-19) from three.

Rodrick Payne scored a game-high 23 points for UW-River Falls while collecting a team-high six rebounds. Logan Jedwabny and Mason Anderson each reached double figures with 10 points apiece. The Falcons shot 48.0 percent (24-of-50) from the field and just 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from deep.

The Pioneers will host UW-Whitewater on Wednesday with tip-off scheduled for 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.