RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The No. 20 University of Wisconsin-Platteville men's basketball team (13-5, 5-2 WIAC) was unable to overcome a double-digit halftime deficit in a 68-50 loss at UW-River Falls (7-11, 2-5 WIAC) on Saturday evening inside Don Page Arena.

Junior Bristol Lewis was the lone Pioneer to reach double figures, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting. Senior Joey Fuhremann added eight points and grabbed seven rebounds, while senior Miles Hettinger pitched in with eight points off the bench.

UW-Platteville was held to a season-low 38.5 percent (20-of-52) from the floor, while going 3-of-18 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc. In comparison, UW-River Falls finished at 49.2 percent (29-of-59) from the field but also struggled from deep at 26.3 percent (5-of-19).

Both offenses got out to a fast start, with senior Aiden Wieczorek scoring seven of the Pioneers first 11 points. Hettinger added a couple buckets in the paint to help UW-Platteville keep pace with the Falcons, but the home team began to pull away as the game neared halftime. UW-River Falls closed out the half with a nine-point run and held the Pioneers scoreless for the final five minutes, to lead 37-24 at the break.

The Pioneers got as close as 10 early in the second half, but the Falcons continued to add to the advantage and led 52-35 with under 10 minutes remaining. UW-Platteville tried to battle back down the stretch, but UW-River Falls built the gap up to 20 in the final minute to secure the win.

Four Falcons reached double figures, led by 21 points from Jack Leifker. UW-River Falls was strong in the paint, outscoring the Pioneers 46-30.

UW-Platteville will travel to No. 23 UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday night. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.