Pioneers throw scare into Sweet 16 team

The game was closer than anyone anticipated. Well, except for the guys in orange and blue, and one who used to wear those colors.

UW-Platteville played NCAA Division I Sweet 16 team UW-Milwaukee to within six points at the halftime Tuesday before the Panthers won a hard-fought 63-47 contest before 3,386 fans in Milwaukee's U.S. Cellular Arena.

The Pioneers, ranked 20th in the NCAA Division III preseason poll, took three leads in the first half. The Pioneers led 18-17 before the Panthers pulled ahead 30-24 at the break.

"I think we had thoughts we could win this from the beginning," said Pioneer sophomore center Jeff Skemp when asked if he entertained thoughts of pulling the monumental upset. "It's a basketball game, and we didn't feel like we were overmatched by any means. We wanted to go out and compete at our highest abilities, and I thought we played them stride for stride the whole game."

UWM, coached by former Pioneer player and assistant coach Rob Jeter, used a 19-5 spurt to start the second half to pull away. The Panthers made eight of their first 13 shots of the second half, extending the halftime lead to 49-29 and held on to win over the scrappy Pioneers.

"It is not surprising to me," Jeter said. "There's a lot of pride in wearing that uniform, and I know because I wore one. There are a lot of victories and a lot of tradition there. It didn't surprise me at all how well those guys played. I was one of those guys. I wasn't a Division I athlete, but I had to do the little things and take advantage of opportunities, and that's what they did. They took advantage of some second shots, they outrebounded us by 10, and that's just hard work. It's what you expect from teams that are well-coached and have that pride. That's why they are on our schedule. I am proud of the guys in that locker room just like I'm proud of our guys."

Skemp, who scored 16 points in last year's exhibition game against the Wisconsin Badgers, and freshman guard Charlie Lohoff led the Pioneers with 14 points apiece. Lohoff scored 10 of his points in the opening half.

"I was really proud of Jeff and Charlie tonight," Pioneer Coach Paul Combs said of the two players who accompanied him to the media room. "When the lights were the brightest, they shined."

Senior forward LeVon Crawford added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Pioneers, who played without injured starting guard Sean Krause and ill freshman Bo Richter.

The Pioneers had amazing success on the boards, out-rebounding the Panthers 37-27 and grabbing 19 offensive rebounds.

Noah Tucker, who had 32 points in the Panthers' Elite Eight loss to Illinois, scored 12 points to lead UWM. Adrian Tigert added 11 points, and Jason McCoy had 10 for the Panthers, who withstood the Pioneers' late surge. The Pioneers pulled within 11 points at 58-47.

"I know people will talk about the first half, but I was most impressed with our guys in the second half," Combs said. "I thought that when Milwaukee went on that long run and with the young guys we have, we could have folded. We kept together and played the Pioneer way."

UWP led 9-8 and 15-14 in the first half. Lohoff's three-point basket gave the Pioneers their last lead at 18-17 with 6:19 remaining.

"Our guys really enjoyed the experience, and we're very appreciative to Coach Jeter to allow us this opportunity," Combs said. "It was a good college basketball game."

Skemp added, "To play a Sweet 16 team and play competitively with them all night was a great opportunity. It's great basketball, and it helps us get ready for the season."

UWP begins its season for real Friday, Nov. 18, in the Pioneer Tip-Off Tournament. The Pioneers play Simpson (Iowa) at 7 p.m. Washington (Mo.) faces Robert Morris in the first game at 5 p.m. The consolation contest is Saturday at 5 p.m. with the championship Saturday at 7 p.m.

Before the Pioneers' first game, they will unveil the 2004-05 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship banner, the 19th conference championship banner to hang in the fieldhouse.

Written by then UW-Platteville sports information director, Paul Erickson.