Worth the wait
February 7, 2008
By Paul Erickson, Sports Information Director
After waiting an extra day to play, what were 10 more minutes?
UW-Platteville beat host UW-La Crosse 78-77 in double overtime Thursday, a day after being postponed by a major snowstorm in southern Wisconsin.
The 17th-ranked Pioneers weathered the Eagles' upset bid with some late-game heroics to send the contest into the extra period. Jeff Skemp scored with four seconds left in regulation, tying the contest at 62, and a Charlie Lohoff three-point basket with 1:32 tied the contest at 68-68.
In the second overtime session, the Pioneers scored six of the first seven points. Mike Shaw and Josh Langenfeld scored layups, while Skemp made two free throws for a 74-69 lead with two minutes remaining. A Billy Kegler jumper in the paint brought the Eagles within 76-75 with eight seconds left, but Curt Hanson made two free throws for a 78-75 advantage. UW-L's Tony Mane missed a three-pointer in the final seconds, and Kegler tipped in the rebound at the buzzer.
UW-Platteville took a half-game lead in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 10-2 mark. The Pioneers are now 16-4 overall.
Skemp poured in 29 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, giving him 52 boards in his last four games. Hanson added 20 points for the Pioneers, who were 20-23 from the line.
Mane finished with 25 points and Kegler 15 for the Eagles, who dropped to 10-11 overall and 5-7 in the WIAC.
The Pioneers play host to Robert Morris-Springfield Saturday at 1 p.m. (please note time). The Eagles are 12-12 on the year, although seven losses came to NCAA Division II teams. Against, NCAA III teams, RMC is 7-3 with a win over North Park of the CCIW. Two-time small college all-American Corey Lee brings in averages of 21 points and 10 rebounds per game.
On Saturday, the Pioneers will honor women's player Brianna Klaas, who is battling cancer, and solicit donations for the Shoot A Three for Bri fund.
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