Pioneers hold Bucs to record low
November 16, 2007
By Paul Erickson, Sports Information Director
UW-Platteville set a new defensive standard, beating Beloit 75-23 Friday in the Pioneer Ford-Mercury/Tricor Insurance Tip-Off Classic on the Bo Ryan Court.
The 23 total points allowed broke the school record of 31, set against Lakeland on Nov. 25, 1997.
The Pioneers scored the first 19 points of the game and then held the Buccaneers to an 0-22 start from the field in the second half. UWP stretched a 47-15 halftime lead to 74-17 before the Bucs hit another field goal with 2:44 remaining.
"I was real pleased with our defensive intensity," Pioneer Coach Paul Combs said. "I thought we carried over some of our practice habits to the game and made some plays. We played with a lot of confidence. I was most pleased with the way our younger guys played; fundamentally they did a nice job."
The Pioneers made 16 steals--including five by Josh Langenfeld and four by Scott Gibbons--forced 28 Beloit turnovers and held the Buccaneers to 17 percent shooting (8-47) from the field.
"We've concentrated on defense since the first day of practice," Langenfeld said. "That's our main goal this year is to get in the gaps. Everyone helps everyone, and we have to continue to do that."
Langenfeld and Curt Hanson each had 14 points, and Mike Shaw scored 11 for the Pioneers. Langenfeld was playing his first game at the point guard position since 2005-06 after sitting out last year with an injury.
"It's been too long, but it's an amazing," he said. "I couldn't wait for the season to start. I never knew how much I missed the game until I couldn't play."
Seventeen different players saw action, with 12 scoring for UWP.
"When you have competition on the bench, that trickles down to everybody as to what is expected," Combs said. "There were a lot of guys on the edge of the seats, ready to get in tonight."
The Pioneers will face Maryville (Mo.) in what turns out to be a championship game Saturday at 7 p.m. The Saints beat Edgewood 78-74 in Friday's first game.
"Maryville is one of the most up-tempo teams we'll face all year" Combs said. "It will be conflicting styles of how their transition game goes against our half-court game. They're well coached and beat a very good Edgewood team. It will be a great test for us."
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