Pioneers beat Warhawks, clinch at least second
February 16, 2005
UW-Platteville beat UW-Whitewater 84-75 Wednesday, clinching at least second place in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Pioneers improved to 17-6 overall and 12-3 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They trail UW-Stevens Point by one game heading into Saturday's finale, when the Pioneers play at UW-Stout, and the Pointers travel to UW-Oshkosh.
Second-year Coach Paul Combs' squad clinched at least its highest finish since the 1998-99 season, when UWP won not only the league but the NCAA III national championship.
The Pioneers were in championship form in the first half Wednesday, hitting 52 percent of their shots and rolling to a 37-24 halftime lead. UWP extended the lead to 54-32 five minutes into the second half and went on to the win. The final nine-point margin was the closest the Warhawks came after halftime.
Five players scored in double figures for the Pioneers, with Brad Reitzner, Brandon Temperly and LeVon Crawford each scoring 17. Mark Gossens added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Sean Krause scored 13 and dished out four assists.
Craig Anderson led the Warhawks (16-8, 8-8) with 17 points, while Jeremy Manchester had 15 points, four rebounds and four steals. Angelo Griffin added 11 points.
During the halftime break, the Pioneers saluted their two seniors, Reitzner and Temperly, who played their final regular season home game. Regardless of what happens Saturday, the Pioneers will play a WIAC post-season tournament game in Williams Fieldhouse Tuesday at 7 p.m. against a team to be determined by the final standings.
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