Comeback Attempt Falls Short As Pioneers Upset By Warhawks

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – In the annual Garding Against Cancer game, the top-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (15-2, 5-1 WIAC) battled back from a 14-point halftime deficit against UW-Whitewater (9-8, 3-3 WIAC), but ultimately fell 74-68 at home inside Williams Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

UW-Platteville raised money at the Garding Against Cancer game, with the total donations coming in $2,896.

In the first half, the Warhawks knocked down five threes in the first five minutes to command an early 17-5 lead. The Pioneers were able to close the gap to seven with 6:42 left in the half, but consistent offense proved to elusive as the team shot just 30.3 percent (10-of-33) across the opening 20 minutes. UW-Whitewater led by as many as 17 in the half and took a 39-25 lead into the break.

UW-Platteville went on a 15-4 run early in the second half to cut the deficit down to just two at 45-43 with 13:18 to play. The Warhawks held a slim lead for the next several minutes until junior Miles Hettinger came away with a steal and a layup to hand the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 49-48 with 8:14 remaining. UW-Whitewater regained the lead but a layup by Hettinger and a three-point make by junior Max Love made it 62-58 in favor of UW-Platteville with under four to go.

The Warhawks erased the Pioneers lead with a six-point run and took a three-point advantage at 67-64 with 1:27 remaining. After the lead grew to four, senior Brady Olson cut it back down to one with 14 seconds left with a three-point make, but the Pioneers failed to score again as UW-Whitewater made five free throws to seal the game.

The Pioneers shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) in the second half to finish at 41.3 percent (26-of-63) for the game. UW-Platteville went 7-of-24 (29.2 percent) from beyond the arc and 9-of-13 (69.2 percent) from the free throw line.

Junior Joey Fuhremann paced the team in scoring with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and produced a double-double with 14 rebounds. Olson and Hettinger joined him in double figures with 13 points apiece.

UW-Whitewater finished at 45.1 percent (23-of-51) for the game and 36.0 percent (9-of-25) from three-point range. Carter Capstran recorded a game-high 23 points, while Jameer Barker and Luka Bara each added 16.

The Pioneers return to the court on Saturday when they travel to UW-Stout for a 3 p.m. start.