Pioneers Winning Streak Snapped By Warhawks

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball (11-7, 4-3 WIAC) team fell 85-65 at home to UW-Whitewater (13-5, 4-3 WIAC) on Wednesday night, snapping a four game winning streak.

UW-Whitewater put together a strong offensive first half, shooting 55.6 percent from the field and making 6-of-7 threes to hold a 40-26 lead at the break. The Pioneers were able to keep the game within one or two possessions for much of the half until a 10-point Warhawks run in the closing minutes put the visitors up by 17. UW-Platteville's offense struggled to score efficiently in the opening half, shooting just 32.3 percent and converting 2-of-13 attempts from deep. Junior Logan Pearson carried much of the load offensively, scoring 12 points in the first 20 minutes of action.

The Warhawks maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half and extended the advantage to a game-high 25 points multiple times. The Pioneers found more success scoring in the early goings of the half, but the UW-Whitewater offense continued to answer each bucket with one of their own. UW-Platteville shot 55.6 percent in the second half, with Pearson scoring nine and senior Brad Nies scoring seven.

Pearson finished with 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting to lead the Pioneers. Sophomore Julian Samuels was second on the team with eight points while four other Pioneers finished with seven. Freshman Max Love grabbed a team-high six rebounds, while sophomore Brady Olson and junior Ben Probst each tallied three assists. UW-Platteville shot 43.1 percent (25-of-58) for the game but went 4-of-18 (22.2 percent) from three.

Four Warhawks finished in double figures, with Trevon Chislom (21 pionts) and Miles Barnstable (20) leading the way. Chislom grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and Jameer Barker recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. UW-Whitewater shot well throughout the game, finishing 55.4 percent (31-of-56) from the floor and 69.2 percent (9-of-13) from deep.

The Pioneers will head to UW-Stevens Point on Saturday for a 7 p.m. rematch against the Pointers. UW-Platteville fell by four in overtime in the first meeting between the two teams.