Love, Pearson Lead Pioneers To Senior Day Win

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Senior Logan Pearson and sophomore Max Love each scored 27 points as the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (20-4, 11-2 WIAC) won 81-72 Wednesday night against UW-Whitewater (17-7, 7-6 WIAC) on Senior Night from Bo Ryan Court.

The Pioneers recognized the contributions of seniors Brad Nies and Austin Schaff prior to the contest.

The two teams went back and forth for much of the first half until back-to-back threes by senior Logan Pearson and sophomore Max Love jumpstarted an 11-4 Pioneers run across the final four minutes. UW-Platteville took a 35-28 lead into the break as Love and Pearson combined to score 28 of the team's points.

Three-point makes by Pearson and senior Ben Probst to start the second half pushed the lead up to 13 and the Pioneers maintained at least a nine-point advantage for the rest of the game. UW-Platteville shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) from the field in the second half and 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from beyond the arc to keep the Warhawks from mounting a comeback. Pearson tallied 15 points in the second half on 5-of-6 shooting while Love knocked down three more threes to cap his career night.

Pearson and Love each scored 27 points in the win, with Love setting a new career-high on 10-of-19 shooting and 7-of-10 from deep. Pearson was also efficient from the floor, shooting 10-of-15 while going 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

For the game, the Pioneers shot 46.2 percent (30-of-65) from the field and 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from the three-point range. UW-Whitewater was at 42.1 percent (24-of-57) from the floor but struggled from deep at just 15.4 percent (2-of-13). The Warhawks got to the line often, going 22-of-32 (68.8 percent).

For Pioneers finished with six rebounds, with Pearson and Love being joined by junior Brady Olson and Nies. Olson also led the team with five assists.

UW-Platteville wraps up the regular season on Saturday at UW-Stout. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.