Pioneers run past Blugolds
February 20, 2008
By Paul Erickson, Sports Information Director
Twenty-third ranked UW-Platteville closed the first half with a 19-2 run, then held at least a 10-point lead throughout the second half while beating UW-Eau Claire 75-58 Wednesday on Bo Ryan Court.
Trailing 26-21, the Pioneers used that run to take a 40-28 lead into the locker room. Jeff Skemp, Bo Richter, Mike Shaw, Curt Hanson, Kyle Tetschlag, and Charlie Lohoff all scored field goals, including Lohoff's buzzer-beating three-point shot.
UW-Eau Claire was within 47-37 with 16:39 left in the second half on two Ryan Shea free throws, but Lohoff made another three-point shot and Skemp scored inside for a 52-37 advantage. The Pioneers, who made 14-21 shots in the second half, led by as many as 20 at 72-52 with just under four minutes to play. Both teams then emptied their benches, and 32 different players saw court action.
Skemp scored 27 points, making 12-18 from the field, and grabbed eight rebounds. Hanson scored 17 points, knocking down 5-7 three-point attempts, and Shaw had 12 points and a career-best nine rebounds. Shaw and Nick Allen made their first starts of the year.
Dan Beyer, the WIAC's leading scorer, had 19 points for the Blugolds, but no other UWEC player was in double figures. Eau Claire made just 41.8 percent from the field, compared to the 57.7 percent for the Pioneers.
 |
| Kyle Tetschlag scores on this tip-in |
The Pioneers improved to 18-6 overall and 11-4 in conference play, one game behind co-leaders UW-Whitewater and UW-Stevens Point. The Blugolds fell to 11-13, 5-10.
The Pioneers play host to UW-Stevens Point Saturday at 5 p.m. in the important regular-season finale, then host an opponent to be determined in the conference post-season tournament Monday at 7 p.m.
Related Links