Pioneer rally falls short vs. Westminster
Posted December 30, 2009
After scoring just 12 points the entire first half, UW-Platteville scored 16 in a frantic final minute but fell short vs. NAIA #12 Westminster (Utah) 71-68 Wednesday night in Phoenix.
The Pioneers trailed 24-12 at the halftime after making just 4-22 from the field and still were behind 52-32 before catching fire. Curt Hanson, who finished with a career-high 33 points, and Mike Shaw, who had 16, led a furious rally.
Shaw's three-pointer cut the deficit to 10 at 58-48, and Hanson's layin made it an eight-point contest at 60-52, setting the stage for the thrilling last minute. Another Shaw three-point basket made the score 61-55 with 59 seconds left. One Hanson three-pointer brought UWP within 62-58 and another made it 65-63 with 14.2 seconds remaining. The Griffins' Ben Walker made two free throws, but Hanson answered with a scoring drive, keeping it a two-point game at 67-63.Westminster's Ben Stockton made two free throws with seven seconds left, before Hanson drilled yet another three, with 2.4 seconds remaining to make the count 69-68. Stockton hit both free throws with 1.6 seconds left, and Walker tipped the inbounds pass away, finally ending the Pioneer rally.
Hanson made 10-18 from the field, including 5-8 three-pointers, for his 33 points. He topped his previous best of 29, set against UW-Superior Dec. 5. Shaw finished with 16, and Eric Wall added eight points for the Pioneers, who fell to 8-4.
Walker scored 23 points to lead Westminster, who won its seventh straight game and improved to 10-4 overall.
The Pioneers return to the renovated Bo Ryan Court Wednesday, Jan. 6, for a matchup with UW-Eau Claire. The tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. or 30 minutes after the women's 5 p.m. contest. One ticket is good for both conference games.
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