The game against the Principia College Panthers got off to slow start for University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s basketball team Friday, November 21. However, the Pioneers capitalized on a late surge with 13 players scoring to get the win beating the Panthers 73-42.

During the first half, the Panthers gained a 12-11 lead, responding to every Pioneer basket. The Pioneers came back to find their stride at the 14-minute mark, successfully scoring 16 out of 18 attempts. This allowed the Pioneers to gain a powerful 25-point lead heading into the second half, 44-19.

UW-Platteville continued their scoring streak during the second half, maintaining at least a 20-point lead over the Panthers throughout the rest of the game. The Pioneers also led by as many as 32 points. This lead helped the Pioneers close out the game the game 73-42.

Sophomore forward, Cory Vaassen, was the game leader with 17 points and 6 assists.

“I thought we got off to a slow start, but after the second half we got into our flow and that helped us,” Vaassen said.

Head coach, Jeff Gard, said that while the tactics of this game were affective and lead to a victory, it still offers areas for improvement.

“The tempo was a little bit slower than what we obviously wanted to play at the beginning and was a little bit attributed to what Principia did with their zone,” Gard said. “I’d like to see our guys have a little bit more patience and try to execute and work things around from an offensive standpoint but as well have a little bit more urgency and be the aggressor.”

Senior guard, Jim Stocki, was also proud of the team’s performance.

“It was a good game, we moved the ball well, we were able to do some things offensively and make a few shots. As well as defensively get in the gaps and work on some things like ball pressure.”

The Pioneers take on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.