Pioneers Fall To Pointers Saturday

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (19-4, 10-2 WIAC) dropped an 83-80 contest to UW-Stevens Point (12-11, 6-6 WIAC) on Saturday evening inside the Quandt Fieldhouse in Stevens Point.

With a loss by UW-Whitewater against UW-La Crosse on Saturday as well, the Pioneers clinch the top spot in the upcoming WIAC Tournament.

The Pointers led for much of the first half and took a 31-29 lead into the break after shooting 50 percent from the floor and making five threes. UW-Stevens Point used a 10-point run to go in front 19-8 with under 12 minutes to play in the half, but UW-Platteville chipped away and event took a three-point lead with a seven-point run. An eight-point run pushed the Pointers back in front by five, but freshman Bristol Lewis knocked down a three on the Pioneers final possession to get back within two.

The Pioneers were able to keep the game close throughout the second half, but UW-Stevens Point kept them from ever taking the lead. Senior Logan Pearson carried the offensive attack for UW-Platteville, scoring 28 of his 35 points, while junior Brady Olson connected on a pair of late triples to keep the Pioneers within one possession. The Pointers were able to secure the game at the free throw line as they went 18-of-22 (81.8 percent) from the stripe in the second half.

Pearson's 35 points led all scorers, and he was efficient shooting the basketball, going 11-of-18 from the floor and 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Senior Ben Probst joined him in double figures with 17 points and a team-high five assists.

Olson grabbed a team leading eight rebounds, while adding eight points and four assists. Lewis tallied seven points off the bench.

The Pioneers shot 43.3 percent (26-of-60) from the floor and 35.5 percent (11-of-31) from beyond the arc. UW-Platteville was strong on the boards, outrebounding the Pointers 32-29, including 11-3 on the offensive glass, which led to a 16-0 advantage in second chance points.

UW-Platteville returns home to host UW-Whitewater on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for Senior Night.