Pioneers Open Small College Basketball Classic With Win

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (3-0) held off a late rally from Saint John's (0-2) for an 80-78 win at the Small College Basketball Classic inside Wachs Arena in Aberdeen, South Dakota on Friday afternoon.

­A couple of baskets by senior Logan Pearson and a three-point play by senior Brad Nies helped the Pioneers get out to an early 14-7 lead, but the Johnnies responded by scoring 17 straight to move in front 30-18 with less than five minutes to play in the opening half. Pearson ended the run with a three-point play and sophomore Max Love knocked down a trio of triples to tie the game at 30 apiece. Saint John's made a three of their own in the final minute of the half to lead 33-30 at the break.

The two teams went back-and-forth in the early stages of the second half until a 10-point UW-Platteville run made it 55-46 with under 10 to play. Junior Brady Olson pushed the Pioneers lead to a game-high 12 points on a three with 3:02 on the clock, but the Johnnies rattled off nine straight to cut the deficit down to just three. UW-Platteville was able to hold off Saint John's at the free throw line for an 80-78 win after a last second shot from beyond half court fell short.

Pearson finished with a game-high 28 points on 8-of-20 shooting while going a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Love added a season-high 18 points while making four threes, while senior Ben Probst also reached double figures with 14 points.

UW-Platteville shot 41.5 percent (27-of-65) from the floor in the game, including 31.0 percent (9-of-29) from beyond the arc. The Pioneers were strong at the line, going 17-of-21 (81 percent).

Love led the team with eight rebounds, while Nies was second with six. Probst paced the Pioneers in assists with six and was one of three players to record two steals in the game joining Love and Olson.

The Pioneers turned the ball over just five times in the win, compared to 12 turnovers for the Johnnies.

UW-Platteville continues play in Aberdeen tomorrow afternoon for a 2:30 p.m. tip against Keene State.