Pioneers beat #5 Pointers, take 2nd
February 23, 2008
By Paul Erickson, Sports Information Director
UW-Platteville, ranked 23rd in the D3hoops.com poll, beat fifth-ranked UW-Stevens Point 84-65 Saturday Night on Bo Ryan Court, putting both teams into a tie for second in the final WIAC standings.
The Pioneers and Pointers split their regular-season series and also split with first-place UW-Whitewater. The Pioneers won the tie-breaker by virtue of their season sweep of fourth-seed UW-Oshkosh.
The Pioneers will play host to seventh-seeded UW-Eau Claire Monday night, while the Pointers will host number six UW-La Crosse. The other bracket features Oshkosh playing host to #5 UW-Superior and #8 UW-Stout traveling to top-seed UW-Whitewater.
With a stunning first-half display, the Pioneers prevented the Pointers from joining the Warhawks as co-champions.
UWP made 15-23 from the field while building a 40-25 advantage. Junior center Jeff Skemp made his first seven shots, and sophomore guard Curt Hanson hit his first four three-point attempts as the inside-outside duo combined for 30 first-half points.
"We played about as good of a half as we've played all season," Pioneer Coach Paul Combs said.
The Pointers clawed their way back into the game, cutting the deficit to six twice. Pete Rortvedt nailed a three-pointer with 13:14 left, making the count 53-47. The Pioneers' Mike Shaw and the Pointers' Louis Hurd traded three-point baskets before the Pioneers exploded on a 15-2 run. Shaw was fouled while scoring a layup and converted the free throw, then drained a three-point shot 44 seconds later for a 69-52 lead. Eric Wall capped the run with a back-door cut and layup, making it 71-52.
"When they cut the lead to six and we responded with a 15-2 run, it was a great testament to our players and how well they respond to adversity," Combs said.
Skemp led all scorers with 22 points, making 10-13 from the field, and grabbing six rebounds. Hanson scored 19 points, missing just one shot, while Charlie Lohoff had 15 points and Nick Allen 10. Lohoff put the exclamation point on the night with a ridiculous three-point shot falling down near the Bo Ryan Court logo as the shot-clock expired with 2:20 remaining. The Pioneers shot 66 percent on the night, including making 11 of 19 three-point baskets.
Pete Rortvedt scored 20 for the Pointers, who made 56.5 percent in the second half, while Bryan Beamish had 12 points and seven assists, and Steve Hicklin scored 11 points with four assists.
"We beat a really good team that's very well coached and a top five team in the country," Combs said.
The Pioneers saluted senior Berent Froiland before the game, and then gave him his first-ever start. Froiland played the first two minutes then re-entered the game late to rousing ovations.
"This was something I won't forget for a long, long, long time," Froiland said. "It was really special."
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