UW-Platteville never trailed as it won its Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener Wednesday by beating UW-Stout 73-54 Wednesday in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

The Pioneers, who received votes in this week's d3hoops.com poll, improved to 11-1, while the Blue Devils fell to 6-6 after the first conference game for both teams.

Leading 5-4, the Pioneers rode three-point baskets by Carter Voelker, Robert Duax, Jake Showalter and Quentin Shields for a 17-8 lead. UW-Platteville led 39-25 at the half and never let UW-Stout closer in the second half. Two Colin Connelly free throws gave the Pioneers their largest lead, 66-41, with 3:57 remaining.

Voelker led a balanced Pioneer attack with 14 points, while Duax and Matt Oestreich each scored 11. Eleven different Pioneers scored and 19 players saw game action for Coach Jeff Gard's squad, which committed just nine turnovers. Zach Dahl led the Blue Devils with 14 points.

The Pioneers play host to UW-Eau Claire Saturday at 7 p.m. The Blugolds, 8-4 overall, opened WIAC play Wednesday with a tough 57-56 home-court loss to UW-La Crosse.

By Paul Erickson, Director, UW-Platteville Communications, 608.342.1194, pr@uwplatt.edu