Pioneers Outlast Green Knights In Holiday Tournament Championship

DE PERE, Wis. – In the Nicolet National Bank Holiday Tournament Championship Game, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (10-1) outlasted host school St. Norbert 60-54 in overtime on Monday night inside the Mulva Family Fitness and Sports Center in De Pere.

It's the second St. Norbert Holiday Tournament Championship in the past four years for the Pioneers, who claimed the title in the 2021-22 season by beating the Green Knights 82-57. Seniors Logan Pearson and Ben Probst were a part of the team that won in 2021.

Scoring was at a premium for much of the contest, with both teams finishing under 30 percent from the floor. UW-Platteville shot 29.2 percent (19-of-65) from the field and 18.9 percent (7-of-37) from deep, while St. Norbert sat at 29.8 percent (17-of-57) and 32.1 percent (9-of-28), respectively.

The Pioneers led 27-18 after one half of play, utilizing a 12-point run to establish the early lead. The run was highlighted by four three-point makes, with Pearson, Probst, and senior Brady Olson each connecting on triples to hand UW-Platteville a double-digit lead.

St. Norbert chipped away at the deficit in the second half and evened the score at 37 with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation. The Green Knights pulled ahead by four with five to play, but a layup by Pearson and a pair of free throw makes by junior Joey Fuhremann tied the game again. UW-Platteville took a three-point advantage with 28 seconds left, but St. Norbert got a three-pointer on its final possession to send the game to overtime tied at 48 apiece.

The two teams went back-and-forth to begin the extra period until a layup and a pair of free throws by Pearson made it a four-point game with 16 second left. Probst wrapped up the win at the line with two more free throw makes as the Pioneers took home the six-point win.

Pearson posted a game-high 25 points on 8-of-20 shooting while going 8-of-11 from the free throw line. Olson joined him in double figures with 10 points, while finishing second on the team with a career-high nine rebounds.

Fuhremann was key to the win, securing a career-high 17 rebounds, including a team-high four on the offensive boards. He added three steals, which tied Olson for the team lead.

Pearson was named the Tournament MVP following his performance across the past two games. Olson joined him on the All-Tournament Team.

The Pioneers will begin WIAC play on Saturday, January 4 at 11th-ranked UW-Stevens Point (10-1). Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.