University of Wisconsin-Platteville senior Matt Weik scored a
career-high 30 points to lead five Pioneers in double figures in a
91-80 win over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday evening at the Kolf Sports
Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The Pioneers (7-4, 2-2 WIAC) extended its winning streak to
three behind 56.4% shooting from the field, including an 11-for-13
effort from the field and a 6-for-6 effort from the free-throw line
by Weik. Weik was joined in double figures by junior Rob Stallion,
who added 18 points, senior Brett Stangel added 14, sophomore Eric
Gerber and senior B.J. Litz chipped in 11 and 10 points,
respectively.
The Titans (2-5, 0-3 WIAC) were led by John Flanigan, who scored
30 points to lead UW-Oshkosh. Flanigan was joined in double figures
by Martell Hutchinson, who scored 16 off the bench.
UW-Platteville raced out to an early 10-3 advantage to start the
contest. Three times, UW-Oshkosh cut the deficit to as little as
six in the first 20 minutes. The last time being at the 9:07 mark
of the first half before Weik hit a 3 pointer and a layup by
Stallion put the Pioneers back up by double digits for most of the
first 20 minutes.
With a 43-27 halftime lead, the Pioneers hit 60% of their shots
in the first 20 minutes from the field as the duo of Weik and
Stallion combining to score 28 points to outscore the Titans, who
were held to just 27 points.
UW-Platteville built the lead to as much as 22 in the second
half before the Titians would get the lead to single digits, 76-67,
with 3:02 to play. A further comeback effort by the home team was
ended by solid free-throw shooting by the Pioneers, who made 14 of
their last 17 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Next, UW-Platteville will step out of the rigors of the WIAC for
its next two games when they travel to Otterbein University for the
Smokey Ballenger Tournament in Westerville, Ohio. The Pioneers will
face the host Cardinals on Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.