Pioneer Men's Basketball - 1998-99 News
1999 NCAA Championship StoriesPioneers Stop UW-Stout in Overtime
Posted 2/27/99
UW-Platteville defeated UW-Stout 90-88 in overtime Saturday to claim the championship of the first-ever WIAC post-season tournament championship.
Aaron Olson's three-point shot with 1:35 remaining in the extra session and one second left on the shot clock gave the Pioneers an 87-84 lead, and his two free throws with 4 seconds remaining gave the Pioneers a 90-86 advantage. Stout scored a layup at the buzzer for the final score.
The defending national champions and the NCAA Division III West Region's top seed improved to 25-2 overall. The Pioneers will receive a bye in the first round of the NCAA playoffs and will open tournament play Saturday at 7 or 7:30 p.m. in Williams Fieldhouse. The exact pairings will be announced Sunday at 8 p.m. Platteville, Gustavus Adolphus and Pomona-Pitzer are automatic bids in the six-team region. Also ranked last week was Augsburg, Upper Iowa, Nebraska Wesleyan and UW-Oshkosh. Augsburg, who was second, lost 66-64 to Gustavus Adolphus in the Minnesota title game tonight. Upper Iowa and Nebraska Wesleyan both won tonight, and UW-Oshkosh was eliminated by UW-Stout Wednesday.
Stout came within 35 seconds of knocking off the tournament's top three seeds. The Blue Devils, who also beat three-seed UW-Eau Claire Monday, came from a 14-point deficit to take an 80-78 lead with 48 seconds remaining in regulation. But Platteville got the ball inside to Mike Jones, and his layup tied the score with 35 seconds left.
The Pioneers, who shot 70.8 percent in the second half (17-24), were led by Blake Knutson's 32 points. He made 12 of 14 shtos from the field. Jones, Olson and Merrill Brunson each added 15. Brunson also partially blocked a three-point attempt with nine seconds remaining in overtime and the Pioneers holding an 88-86 lead. Dan Wargolet rebounded the ball and passed it to Olson, who then made the pair of free throws with four seconds left.
Jeremy Leibfried led the Blue Devils (15-11) with 24 points, while Ben Kuepers had 15 and Pat Von Feldt 14.
"It's awfully hard to beat a good team three times in a season," Pioneer Coach Bo Ryan said. "You have to give Stout a lot of credit. But at the same time, our young men deserve a lot, too. This is a heck of an accomplishment."
(Check the web site tomorrow after 9:00 p.m. for NCAA pairings.
Tonight's BoxscorePioneers' Defense Paves Path to Title Game
Posted 2/24/99
UW-Platteville held UW-Stevens Point to just one basket over the final 10:20 and beat the Pointers 57-45 in the semifinals of the WIAC post-season tournament Wednesday at Williams Fieldhouse.
The top-seeded Pioneers will face a surprising foe in Saturday's title game. Sixth-seeded UW-Stout, who knocked off UW-Eau Claire Monday, won 85-82 at UW-Oshkosh tonight. Tip-off between the Pioneers and Blue Devils will be at 7 p.m. in Williams Fieldhouse.
The Pioneers' defense paved the way to the championship contest. The Pointers took their largest lead at 43-37 with 10:20 remaining, but Platteville closed the game with a 20-2 run. Aaron Olson's two free throws tied the game at 43-43 with 7:26 remaining, and Merrill Brunson's baseline drive gave the Pioneers the lead for good at the 6:39 mark.
Brunson led the Pioneers (24-2) with 16 points, all on two-point baskets. Blake Knutson added 12 points, Aaron Olson 11 and Mike Jones 10. With 13 rebounds, Jones recorded his fifth "double-double" in the last seven games.
Brant Bailey led the Pointers (15-11) with 17 points, and Derek Westrum added 14.
Jones, Brunson Lead Pioneer Win
Posted 2/22/99
Mike Jones had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Merrill Brunson added 20 points as top-seeded UW-Platteville beat UW-La Crosse 76-65 in the first round of the WIAC tournament Monday night.
Platteville was just two of four seeded teams to advance to Wendesday's semifinals. UW-Stevens Point knocked off host UW-Whitewater 77-67 and will play at Williams Fieldhouse Wednesday at 7 p.m. UW-Stout, which upset second-seeded UW-Eau Claire 70-60, will play at UW-Oshkosh, a 55-51 winner over UW-Superior.
La Crosse tied the score 38-38 when Platteville went on a 11-1 run midway through the second half. Brunson (5) and Jones (4) scored 9 of UWP's 11 points during that run. The Eagles never came closer than 7 points the rest of the way.
Brian Murphy, starting in place of injured forward Dan Wargolet, added 11 points, including four free throws in the final 1:27. Blake Knutson also scored 10 for the Pioneers (23-2).
Steve Tracy led La Crosse (9-15) with 20 points, while Ryan Ecklund added 15 and Paul Manchester 14.
Brunson, Pioneers get hot against Stout
Posted 2/17/99
Merrill Brunson made his last 12 shots from the field and finished with a career-high 33 points to lead UW-Platteville to a 77-54 victory over UW-Stout in the WIAC regular-season finale Wednesday night at Williams Fieldhouse.
The Pioneers made 77 percent of their shots (17 of 22) in the second half after missing nine of their first 10 shots to start the game.
The WIAC champions improved to 22-2 overall and 15-1 in league play. The Pioneers will open the inaugural conference tournament Monday night against the winner of the eighth and ninth-place play-in game between host La Crosse and River Falls. The play-in game will be either Friday or Saturday. (UW-La Crosse is also the site of the women's play-in contest and the WIAC wrestling tournament.)
Mike Jones added 12 points and Beau Buchs 9 for the Pioneers, who lost Dan Wargolet to an injury in the first half. Wargolet took a charge and did not return to action. His status will be evaluated this week.
The other WIAC first-round playoff matches have second-seeded Oshkosh playing Superior (who beat Whitewater 72-70 tonight), third-seeded Eau Claire (who lost to River Falls Wednesday) facing Stout, and fourth-seeded Whitewater hosting Stevens Point.
The conference semifinals are Wednesday, Feb. 24 with the championship Feb. 27.
Pioneers make history again
Posted 2/13/99
UW-Platteville, who last year became the first team in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history to win four consecutive outright titles, made history again by running its string to five.
The Pioneers beat host UW-La Crosse 70-65, clinching the championship. Platteville, the defending NCAA III national champions and this year's third-ranked team, improved to 21-2 overall and 14-1 in league play.
Dan Wargolet and Merrill Brunson each scored 15 points for the Pioneers, while Blake Knutson added 14 and Mike Jones 10. The Pioneers shot 51.2 percent from the field and 85.2 percent from the line while committing just seven turnovers.
The Eagles tied the score at 40-40 with 17:56 remaining, but Wargolet's three-point basket gave Platteville the lead for good. La Crosse hung tough the entire game, trimming the lead to 67-65 with 19 seconds remaining. Brunson, however, hit two free throws for a four-point lead, and Jones made one of two free shots with nine seconds remaining.
The Pioneers will close out the regular season Wednesday vs. UW-Stout at 7 p.m. and salute the careers of seniors Joel Beard, Knutson, Brian Murphy, Aaron Olson and Wargolet. Together, they helped the Pioneers to a four-year record of 98-8 with four WIAC titles.
Pioneers lay claim to title
Posted 2/10/99
UW-Platteville clinched at least a share of its fifth straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 85-73 victory over UW-Superior.
The Pioneers can claim the undisputed title with a win at UW-La Crosse Saturday at 7 p.m.
Platteville improved to 20-2 overall, their 12th straight season of at least 20 victories. The Pioneers are 13-1 in league play, two games ahead of second-place UW-Eau Claire.
Merrill Brunson led five players in double figures with 26 points, while Blake Knutson added 18, Brian Murphy 12, Mike Jones 11 and Aaron Olson 10. Murphy hit 6x6 from the floor, while Knutson made 7x10, including 4x4 three-pointers.
15-0 run keys Pioneer rout
Posted 2/6/99
UW-Platteville made all six shots during a 15-0 run, including three three-point baskets, to break open a tied game and lead to a 76-56 rout of UW-Stevens Point Saturday.
With the score tied at 34-34, Stevens Point's Brant Bailey blew a dunk attempt, which seemed to fire up the Williams Fieldhouse crowd of 2,082. Blake Knutson knocked down a three-point shot, and, after Dan Wargolet hit a jump shot, Knutson followed with a steal and a thunderous breakaway dunk that brought the fans to their feet. Merrill Brunson and Aaron Olson kept them on their feet with three-pointers, and Brian Murphy finished off the run with a post move and basket.
The Pioneers outscored the Pointers 44-24 in the second half, shooting 70 percent. For the game, the Pioneers knocked down 57 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Pointers 34-19.
Brunson led Platteville with 21 points, while Knutson scored 15, Mike Jones 14 and Olson 11. Jones also added 11 rebounds.
Brant Bailey led Stevens Point with 13 points, and Frank scored 10. The Pointers made just 6 of 20 shots in the second half.
Platteville improved to 19-2 overall and 12-1 in league play, while Stevens Point fell to 12-10, 6-8.
Pioneers fall at Eau Claire, 68-51
Posted 2/3/99
The Pioneers fell behind early and were never able to recover, in a WIAC contest at Eau Claire. The Blugolds jumped out to a 9-2 lead to start the game and the Pioneers shooting a meager 34.6% from the field just couldn't catch up. The loss snaps the Pioneers 30 game conference winning streak and the 11 game overall winnng streak.
The Blugolds, ranked 5th in the West Region, shot 54.7% from the field and 70% from three point land. Eau Claire had only 9 turnovers the entire game. Sherman Carstensen led all scorers with 19 points on 8 of 11 shooting. The Pioneers were led by Mike Jones' 15 points, and 11 rebounds. Brunson chipped in 14 points and 3 assists.
The loss drops the Pioneers to 18-2, 11-1 in the WIAC, while the Blugolds improve to 15-5 overall, and 9-3 in the WIAC.
Pioneers win battle with UWW
Posted 1/30/99
If the WIAC was hoping to showcase the league's play on Midwest Sports Channel, then consider mission accomplished. UW-Platteville edged rival UW-Whitewater 78-73 before a sell-out crowd of 2,425 at Williams Fieldhouse and a regional TV audience.
The Pioneers' win, their 90th straight home regular season victory, will be replayed Sunday night/Monday morning on MSC at 12:30 a.m.
The Warhawks forged a 68-64 lead with 4:54 remaining on a layup by Mike Hughes. After a Pioneer timeout, Dan Wargolet drained a huge three-point basket. Beau Buchs made one of two free throws with 3:25 remaining to tie the score at 68-68.
Buchs' missed free throw would be the last Pioneer miss on the night, as Merrill Brunson, Knutson and Dan Wargolet each made a pair. Knutson also hit a spinning baseline layup with 46 seconds left for a 74-70 lead.
The Warhawks were not done, however, as Kevin Martin scored and was fouled by Mike Jones, fouling Jones out. With the Pioneers leading 74-73, Knutson knocked down a pair of free throws. After UWW's Rich Hofmaster missed a three-point shot with six seconds remaining, Wargolet grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and made both shots for the final 78-73 score.
The win improved Platteville's record to 18-1 overall and 11-0 in the WIAC. Whitewater fell to 15-4, 8-4.
Both teams shot extremely well from the field. The Pioneers converted on 26x45 shots (57.8 percent), while Whitewater was 28-50 (56 percent). The difference may have come at the line, where Platteville made 21x24, while Whitewater was 15x26.
Knutson and Brunson each scored 17 points, while Wargolet had 16 and Jones 11. Tom Anderson led the Warhawks with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but could only hit 4x13 free throws.
The Pioneers could clinch at least a title tie Wednesday night at second-place UW-Eau Claire. Platteville has captured the last four WIAC crowns.
Pioneers record win #1,000
Posted 1/27/99
UW-Platteville earned its 1,000th men's basketball victory Wednesday night with a 79-54 win over host UW-River Falls.
The Pioneers' all-time record is now 1,000-669. More than one-third of those victories (340) have come during Coach Bo Ryan's 14-year tenure, and more than one-quarter have occurred during this decade. The Pioneers have the best record in all of collegiate basketball during the 1990s at 253-26.
Merrill Brunson led a depleted Pioneer squad with 25 points, while Blake Knutson added 18. Mike Jones collected 10 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Pioneers, who last week lost guard Joel Beard to academic difficulties, played without injured guard Colin Gassner. Senior Aaron Olson made his first career start and had 9 points and 4 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Platteville, the nation's second-ranked team, improved to 17-1 overall and 10-0 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Falcons dropped to 6-12, 2-9.
The Pioneers will play host to second-place UW-Whitewater (15-3, 8-3) Saturday at 5 p.m.
Pioneers topple Titans
Posted 1/20/99
UW-Platteville grabbed a three-game lead in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a hard-fought 74-64 victory over UW-Oshkosh in Williams Fieldhouse.
The win pushed the Pioneers' record to 16-1 overall and 9-0 in the WIAC. Oshkosh fell to 12-5 and 6-3. UW-Whitewater also dropped to 6-3 in the league following the Warhawks' 74-62 loss at UW-Stevens Point.
The Pioneers were up 58-56, but outscored the Titans 16-8 down the stretch for the win. Merrill Brunson hit a three-point basket with 4:15 to play, and Mike Jones followed with a layup for a 63-56. Platteville then hit 11 of 12 free throws down the stretch.
The defending national champions recorded the 999th win in school's history.
Brunson finished with a career-high 27 points, while Dan Wargolet added 18 points.
Brad Clark recorded a double-double for the Titans with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Oshkosh shot 63.6 percent in the first half to take a 34-32 lead.
Pioneers over LaCrosse
Posted 1/16/99
UW-Platteville held LaCrosse to 14 points in the first half and the Eagles were never able to fully recover, as the Pioneers win at Williams Fieldhouse 65-54, for their 28th straight WIAC win and 88th consecutive regular season home victory. Merrill Brunson led all scorers with 16, while Mike Jones chipped in 13 and grabbed 8 rebounds. The Eagles held the Pioneers scoreless for 6 minutes and 12 seconds in the second half, and didn't allow a field goal for over 8 minutes. The Eagles were able to cut the once 18 point lead to 2 points but back to back three-pointers by Brunson and Colin Gassner put the game out of reach.
Pioneers topple Superior
Posted 1/13/99
UW-Platteville spotted visiting UW-Superior 10 points, then came back to beat the Yellowjackets 80-60 at Williams Fieldhouse for the Pioneers' 27th straight WIAC win and 87th consecutive regular season home victory.
The Pioneers' win, coupled with the UW-Eau Claire victory at UW-Whitewater, gives UWP a two-game lead in the conference race. Platteville improved to 14-1 overall and 7-0 in the WIAC.
The Pioneers took a 34-29 halftime lead, then shot 62 percent in the second half to stretch the lead to as large as 30, 78-48.
Blake Knutson led the charge with 19 points, while Merrill Brunson added 14 and Dan Wargolet 13. Wargolet, Knutson and Mike Jones each had 8 rebounds.
Pioneers stop Stout
Posted 1/11/99
UW-Platteville used an 18-2 run to end the game and Stout's upset hopes with a 60-50 victory in Menomonie Monday night.
The Pioneers trailed 48-42 with 7:47 remaining, but held the Blue Devils without a field goal the rest of the game.
Merrill Brunson hit 9x10 from the field to finish with 19 points, while Mike Jones hit for 10.
Pioneers get road win
Posted 1/9/99
UW-Platteville won its 25th consecutive conference game, winning 60-53 at UW-Stevens Point Saturday night.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 32-20 halftime lead at Quandt Fieldhouse, then held off all Pointer rallies. Stevens Point cut the lead to 43-40, but Brian Murphy hit a three-point shot and a layup, and Merrill Brunson followed with a three-pointer to push the lead back to 11.
Brunson matched his career high with 19 points, while Blake Knutson recorded his second double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
The Pioneers improved to 12-1 overall, 5-0 in the WIAC. The Pointers fell to 8-6, 2-4.
Pioneers hold off Blugolds
Posted 1/6/99
UW-Platteville prevailed over a hot-shooting UW-Eau Claire team to post a 65-56 WIAC win at Williams Fieldhouse Wednesday.
The Pioneers overcame a Blugold team that hit 54.1 percent of its shots. Eau Claire made 61.1 percent in the first half, but the Pioneers forged a 38-29 halftime lead because they did not commit a single turnover.
Eau Claire tied the score at 42-42, but Blake Knutson hit a basket, was fouled and converted the free throw to give the Pioneers the lead for good. Mike Jones also hit a huge three-point basket with 4:33 remaining, pushing a 55-52 lead to 58-52.
Knutson led the Pioneers with 16 points, while Dan Wargolet, Merrill Brunson and Jones each had 13 points. The Pioneers played most of the game without flu-stricken Joel Beard, who saw two minutes of action. Colin Gassner stepped in and played 35 minutes without a turnover, the fourth straight game and 108th minute without an error.
Platteville improved to 11-1 overall and 4-0 in league play. Eau Claire fell to 8-4, 2-2.
Pioneers win Clarke Classic
Posted 1/5/99
Playing its sixth game in nine days, across four time zones no less, the UW-Platteville men's basketball team wrapped up its second straight Clarke College Holiday Classic title Sunday night with a 72-61 victory over Cardinal Stritch.
The Pioneers, just back from three games in Hawaii, beat Dubuque 79-48 on New Year's Eve and Rockford 86-63 Saturday to set up the title match against the 12-3 Crusaders.
Blake Knutson was named the tournament MVP after totalling 53 points and 23 rebounds during the three games. He was joined by teammate Merrill Brunson on the all-tournament team. Brunson had 50 points in the three games, including 18 in the championship contest.
Mike Jones added 13 against Cardinal Stritch, including a huge three-point basket as the shot clock was winding down late in the game to give the Pioneers a nine-point lead. Dan Wargolet added 10 points in the title game.
Joel Beard scored 10 points against Dubuque, and Colin Gassner played 76 minutes without a tournament turnover.
The Pioneers improved to 10-1 on the year with their 16th regular-season tournament win in 19 tries under Coach Bo Ryan. The Pioneers are 39-3 in those tournament contests.
Pioneers rebound to defeat Evergreen State
Posted 12/29/98
The UW-Platteville men's basketball team rebounded from its first loss since 1997 by defeating Evergreen State (Wash.) 79-58 Tuesday in Honolulu to wrap up its Hawaiian trip.
The Pioneers were defeated by Hawaii Pacific 69-68 Monday night to snap their 36-game winning streak.
Platteville started a new winning streak by jumping out to a 38-27 halftime lead against Evergreen State, then used a 15-0 run early in the second half to cruise to the win.
Colin Gassner came off the bench to score a career-high 12 points, while Merrill Brunson scored 15, Mike Jones 14 and Joel Beard 10. UWP out-rebounded Evergreen State 49-24 and shot 52.5 percent from the field.
Winning streak snapped
Posted 12/29/98
For the first time in 672 days, the UW-Platteville men's basketball team lost, as Hawaii Pacific edged the Pioneers 69-68 in Honolulu Monday night (Tuesday morning Central time).
The loss snapped the Pioneers' 36-game winning streak, longest in the nation.
The Sea Warriors, an NCAA Division II school, scored with 4.1 seconds left for the victory. Hawaii Pacific improved to 5-5 on the year.
The Pioneers, now 6-1, were led by Merrill Brunson's 19 points and Mike Jones's 15.
UW-Platteville closes out its Hawaiian trip against Evergreen State (Wash.) at 4 p.m. Hawaiian time, 8 p.m. Central. The Pioneers then begin play in the eight-team Clarke College Holiday Classic Thursday at 8 p.m. against Dubuque.
Pioneers whip Webster
Posted 12/28/98
The UW-Platteville men's basketball team defeated Webster (Mo.) 85-49 late Saturday night in Honolulu, extending the nation's longest winning streak to 36 games.
The Pioneers, the defending NCAA Division III national champions, scored the first 8 points and sprinted out to a 46-15 halftime lead. Their largest lead was 43 points at 75-32.
Platteville, who has not lost in 670 days, improved to 6-0, while the St. Louis-based Gorlocks fell to 2-7.
Mike Jones paced the Pioneer effort with 19 points, while Merrill Brunson added 13, Blake Knutson 12 and Dan Wargolet 10.
UW-Platteville faces a very tough opponent Monday when the Pioneers play at Hawaii-Pacific. The Sea Warriors are a Division II team that lost by 3 points to Baylor and also dropped a close game to the same Hofstra team that beat Georgia Tech Saturday. Monday's tip-off is at 8 p.m. Hawaiian time, or midnight Central. Platteville closes its trip against Evergreen State (Wash.) Tuesday, then comes back to open the eight-team Clarke College Holiday Classic Thursday at 8 p.m. vs. the University of Dubuque.
Pioneers edge Warhawks
Posted 12/12/98
UW-Platteville overcame a late UW-Whitewater lead to post a 68-62 victory in a battle of unbeaten teams at Whitewater Saturday.
The Pioneers who trailed until 2:12 left in the game, extended the nation's longest winning streak to 35 games. Mike Jones led all players with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Merrill Brunson and Dan Wargolet each pitched in 15, while Wargolet collected 7 assists. Blake Knutson added 12 points and 5 rebounds in the winning effort.The Pioneers trailed by as many as 10 in the first half, and still trailed 52-46 with 6:41 remaining. The Pioneers caught the Warhawks at 56-56 when Brunson hit two free-throws after Whitewater's Tom Anderson was whistled for a technical foul. After inbounding the ball Wargolet passed to Knutson for a lap up and a 58-56 lead. Wargolet then stole the ball and went the length of the court for a lay-up and a 60-56 advantage.
Pioneers rout Falcons
Posted 12/9/98
UW-Platteville went on an 18-0 run early in the first half, extending a tight 10-8 lead into a 28-8 cushion on the way to beating UW-River Falls 78-47 Wednesday night in Williams Fieldhouse.
The Pioneers shot 62.5 percent in the first half and 52 percent for the entire game. Merrill Brunson, who hit 3x5 three-point shots, and Mike Jones, 7x9 from the field, tied for game scoring honors with 17 points apiece. Both Blake Knutson and Dan Wargolet hit for 10 points.
The Pioneers improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in league play. The Falcons fell to 3-3, 1-2.
Pioneers set school record for consecutive wins
Posted 12/5/98
The UW-Platteville men's basketball team set a school record for consecutive wins by extending the nation's longest winning streak to 33 games with a 70-49 victory at Lakeland College Saturday.
The 1994-95 Pioneers were 31-0, then won their first game of the new season to set the record at 32. Last year, the Pioneers were 30-0 and have won their first three games this season.
Merrill Brunson led the Pioneers with 18 points, while Dan Wargolet added 12 and Tim Duffy came off the bench to score 11.
The Pioneers, national champions in 1991, 1995 and 1998, have the best record in collegiate basketball this decade at 239-25.
The Pioneers return to Williams Fieldhouse Wednesday at 7 p.m. vs. UW-River Falls.
Pioneers prevail in overtime
Posted 12/2/98
Dan Wargolet hit three free throws with 23 seconds remaining to tie the game at 65-65, then the Pioneers prevailed in overtime 78-75 over UW-Oshkosh Wednesday in Oshkosh's Kolf Sports Center.
Oshkosh scored the first points in overtime, bvefore the Pioneers reeled off eight straight points. Mike Jones scored baskets in that run, and Wargolet knocked down a three-point shot.
Wargolet led Platteville, which hit a school-record 12 three-pointers, with 25 points, while Merrill Brunson scored 16, Jones 13 and Blake Knutson 11. Brad Clark led the Titans with 24 points.
The Pioneers tied their school record for consecutive victories at 32. UWP was 30-0 last year and now 2-0 this season. The 1994-95 team was 31-0, and the 1995-96 team won its first game to set the record.
Pioneers unveil banner, then top Coe
Posted 11/20/98
The UW-Platteville Pioneers unveiled their 1998 NCAA Division III national championship in a pre-game ceremony, then unveiled their new team with an 82-55 win over Coe College Friday in Williams Fieldhouse.
Platteville extended the nation's longest winning streak to 31 games.
Mike Jones, who shot a perfect 8x8 from the field, scored 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Blake Knutson was the leading scorer with 20 points, and he added 7 rebounds. Merrill Brunson, who was perfect from the three-point line at 4x4, knocked down 19 points.
The Pioneers shot 50.8 percent from the field, including 64.3 (9-14) from the three-point line.
Pioneers beat Estonians
Posted 11/11/98
The Pioneer men's basketball team opened the 1998-99 season with a hard-fought 74-65 win over the Estonia National Select Team at Williams Fieldhouse.
The Estonians, who played Purdue to a three-point game before fallin 74-71 Sunday, took their lone lead at 38-37 with 14:04 to play. Platteville responded with a 10-point run to take the lead for good at 47-38. Brian Murphy and Aaron Olson both nailed three-point baskets during the run.
Dan Wargolet and Blake Knutson each scored 17 points, with Wargolet grabbing rebound honors with 12.
The Estonians finish their tour at Iowa State Thursday. The Pioneers open their regular season on Nov. 20. The Pioneer women and men both face their Coe College counterparts, with the women's game at 6 p.m. Between contests, the Pioneers will unveil their 1998 NCAA III national championship banner.
McGettigan to Play for Pioneers
Posted 5/18/99
Mineral Pointıs Frank McGettigan will attend UW-Platteville in the fall and play basketball for the two-time defending NCAA Division III national champion Pioneers.
McGettigan, a 6-4 guard, was a three-time all-Southwest Athletic League II player. He led the Pointers to a 19-3 record, including 10-2 in the SWAL II, which tied them for the conference championship. McGettigan averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season, earning league co-MVP honors as well as all-area accolades from the Wisconsin State Journal and the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald (second team). He earned the T-H player of the week award for his 32-point, 12-rebound effort against Edgewood.
The son of Mark and Sue McGettigan, he will play in the state all-star game June 19.
McGettigan is an honor student and was the Mineral Point High School junior class student of the year.
He will join a UW-Platteville team that is coming off back-to-back national championships and five straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. The Pioneers recorded the best record in all of collegiate basketball during the 1990s at 266-27, 90.8 percent, with four national crowns.