Pioneers lead from start to finish

LeVon Crawford scored 19 points, including six during a crucial second-half stretch, as UW-Platteville beat the University of Dubuque 77-62 Friday afternoon in the Mississippi River Challenge at Loras College.

Crawford was 9-10 from the field, including a dunk and a pair of layups when the Spartans threatened to cut a 17-point second-half Pioneer lead to single-digits.

Dubuque did narrow the deficit to 64-57 with 6:03 to play, but Brad Reitzner restored the margin with a four-point play. He made a three-point basket from the right side, was fouled and converted the three throw. UWP made seven of eight free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Sean Krause added 11 points, while Reitzner and Josh Wesley each had 10 for the Pioneers, who improved to 2-2. UWP shot 58 percent from the field and outscored Dubuque 46-22 in the paint.

Nick Thomas, who came into the game averaging 37.5 ppg, led the Spartans with 23 points. The Pioneer defense held him to 3-18 from the field, although Thomas went to the line 17 times, making 16. Tyler Daugherty added 17 for Dubuque, who slipped to 2-1.

The Pioneers play at Loras Saturday at 8 p.m.

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