Pioneers' Sharp Shooting Too Much For Titans

UW-Platteville shot a season-best 58 percent from the field and made 33 free throws to pull away for an 83-69 victory over the UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team on Wednesday (Feb. 3) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Pioneers were successful on 22 of their 38 shots, including 6-of-11 attempts (54.5 percent) behind the three-point arc. UW-Platteville (12-8/6-5 WIAC), which led the entire contest, made 89.2 percent of its 37 free throws, grabbed 31 rebounds and committed 11 turnovers.

Curt Hanson led the Pioneers with 24 points and six assists while knocking down his first five shots from the field. UW-Platteville also received 21 points and six rebounds from Eric Wall and 20 points and eight rebounds from Mike Shaw.

D.J. Marsh (Sr. • Bayside) made a lay-up to cut UW-Oshkosh's deficit to 7-6 with 13:57 left in the first half. Shaw then drained a three-point shot and lay-up and Hanson a lay-up and three free throws to help UW-Platteville build a 19-9 lead with 10:38 remaining in the opening period.

A deep jumper by Wittwer cut UW-Oshkosh's deficit to 24-18, but Hanson followed by drilling a three-point shot to start an 8-2 scoring run for the Pioneers. UW-Platteville opened up a 39-24 advantage on a three-point play by Wall and settled for a 41-30 lead at intermission.

Hanson compiled six quick points and Wall four as the Pioneers made six of their first seven shots in the second half. UW-Platteville then took a 58-39 lead on a Hanson three-pointer with 12:48 to play.

UW-Platteville held a lead of 12-plus points for the next 10 minutes. Three long-range connections from Wittwer in the next 58 seconds got UW-Oshkosh as close as 74-63 with 1:55 left.

The Pioneers did not attempt a field goal during the final 4:49 of play as they scored 17 points at the free-throw line.

Marsh, who made his 100th consecutive start for the Titans, paced all scorers with 25 points. He also counted four steals, three rebounds and two assists. Wittwer added 21 points and three rebounds, John Flanigan (So. • Oshkosh) 11 points and seven rebounds and Greg Schrimpf (So. • Manitowoc) 10 points and one assist.

UW-Oshkosh (9-11/4-8 WIAC) shot 45.3 percent (24-53) from the field, including 38.9 percent (7-18) behind the three-point arc. The Titans made 66.7 percent (14-21) of their free throws while grabbing 20 rebounds and committing nine turnovers.

UW-Oshkosh goes for its third straight WIAC road victory when it visits UW-Stout on Saturday (Feb. 6).