No place like home for #5 UWP
January 21, 2009
By Paul Erickson, Sports Information Director
When fifth-ranked UW-Platteville took the floor against seventh-ranked UW-Whitewater, Pioneer guard Curt Hanson knew the night could be special.
A capacity Bo Ryan Court crowd of 2,316--most wearing orange--greeted the Pioneers, and then were treated to an 86-78 Platteville victory.
"Coming out and seeing full bleachers and everyone standing up was the best part of the game," said Hanson, who scored 21 points. "That really was the best part. We need to thank our fans."
The Pioneers, now 15-2 overall, took sole possession of second place in the WIAC with a 7-1 mark, one game behind fourth-ranked UW-Stevens Point. The Warhawks fell to 14-3, 6-2.
UW-Platteville led the final 27:19 of the game, and held off a Warhawk rally that involved three technical fouls.
Hanson's three-pointer put the Pioneers ahead 72-61 with 5:04 to play. After the Pioneers' Charlie Lohoff was called for a foul on the Warhawks' Kori Vernon in the lane, UWP Coach Paul Combs was whistled for a technical for being out of the coaches box, even though he was walking towards the end of the Pioneer bench away from the action. Miles McKay made both free throws and Vernon one of two, making the score 72-64.
The Warhawks' Matt Goodwin cut the lead to 72-70 with back-to-back three-point baskets, but was whistled for taunting on the second. While the Pioneers' Mike Shaw was shooting the first free throw, Warhawk Coach Pat Miller was called for another technical from across the floor while he was talking to another referee next to him. Shaw made all four free throws, and Jeff Skemp converted two on the ensuing possession for a 78-70 lead with 3:26 remaining.
UWW narrowed the gap to 78-73 with Vernon making 3-4 free shots before the Pioneers rolled off seven straight points. Skemp scored a layup, Charlie Lohoff made three of four free throws, and Skemp finished the run with his second dunk of the night.
"Even though we were up nine or 11, we knew they would come back fighting," Hanson said. "They're a great team. We knew we had to keep battling."
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| A capacity crowd painted the town orange |
Skemp scored 24 points, making 10-14 from the field, while Hanson connected on 8-14 for his 21 points. Nick Allen added 12, Lohoff 11, and Shaw 10 for the Pioneers, who made 56.6 percent from the field. UWP had 21 assists on their 30 baskets, getting several back-door layups.
"That's what they were giving us," Hanson said. "They were doubling up Jeff, and we have so many good three-point shooters that they were out there tight. We had good passes, good screens. It was a good team win."
McKay poured in 22 points for the Warhawks, who connected on 53 percent for the game. Vernon added 16, Billy Kolinske 14, Goodwin 11, and Dustin Mitchell 11.
Both teams have overtime losses to UW-Stevens Point on their records, making Wednesday's game an important one.
"This was a big win," Hanson said. "Coming off the Point loss, it was a great win. There's good teams up and down in this conference. That's what makes it so fun."
The sell-out was the Pioneers' first since dedicating the Bo Ryan Court in January, 2007.
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