Comeback Falls Short at Platteville

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The CUW men's basketball team fell short in a finals-week test at Wisconsin-Platteville. The Pioneers defended their home court with a 74-66 victory. The loss sends CUW to 2-7 on the season.

The Pioneers never trailed on Tuesday night.

A layup from senior Matt LeVene (Manitowoc, Wis.) tied the game at two points. The Orange and Blue went on a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to build a substantial lead.

The Falcons did not fold and erased the deficit and a three-point basket from senior Freeman Jackson (Green Bay, Wis.) tied the game at 14.

The biggest lead for the Pioneers came at 30-18 with 4:51 left. A layup before the buzzer gave Platteville a 36-25 lead.

The Pioneers pushed the lead up to 15 points on two occasions and held onto a 57-42 lead halfway through the half.

The Falcons continued to fight and chiseled the lead to four points with free throws from senior Gabe Pruss (North Fond du Lac, Wis.) and senior Grant Karsten (Decatur, Ill.).

A pair of three-point baskets cooled the comeback efforts before a layup from Matt LeVene cut the Platteville lead to 67-63 at the 2:52 mark of the second half.

The Pioneers responded with a 7-0 run to ice the game.

Senior Jared Jurss (Sheboygan, Wis.) led all players with 17 points and eight assists.

 The Falcons look to bounce back on Saturday when they return to Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play at Marian.