7-0 Pioneers earn first WIAC win

Fifth-ranked UW-Platteville earned a hard-fought 76-69 hard win over UW-Superior Saturday in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Jeff Skemp scored 27 points, including five straight late in the game when the Yellowjackets pulled within 62-61, and Charlie Lohoff and Mike Shaw each made critical jump shots down the stretch to keep the Pioneers undefeated overall at 7-0. Skemp scored two baskets, adding a free throw after the first basket with 3:51 remaining, for a 67-61 lead. After Jake Smith and Dan Hill hit outside jumpers for the Yellowjackets, Lohoff buried a three-point basket with 1:35 left for a 70-65 lead.

Smith and Lohoff traded a pair of free throws, and Superior's Dan Cully made two more, making the count 72-69. Shaw drove the lane and scored with 13 seconds left for an insurmountable 74-69 lead. Curt Hanson's two free throws wth two seconds left made the final score 76-69.

Skemp made 13 of 17 shots for his 27 points, while Hanson added 18, Lohoff 13, and Shaw 12. Lohoff grabbed a team-high eight rebounds for the Pioneers, who led 36-26 at the half.

With 29 points and nine rebounds, Superior's Smith led all scorers and rebounders. Shane Manor added 11 for UWS, who dropped to 3-3.

The Pioneers out-shot the Yellowjackets 56-42 percent.

UW-Platteville plays host to UW-Eau Claire Wednesday on the Bo Ryan Court at 7 p.m. The Blugolds are the last team to beat the Pioneers, knocking them out of the first round of the 2008 WIAC playoffs, and a large Pioneer crowd is expected for the rematch.

Related Links

Boxscore