The Pioneers came from behind to beat Marian (Ind.) 65-63 to win the Pete Thorn Invitational Saturday at Wabash College.
The victory not only gave the Pioneers the tournament title but was their fourth win in eight days over teams with winning records. Three of those contests came on the road.
LeVon Crawford's inside basket and free throw with six seconds to play gave the Pioneers a 64-63 lead. Sean Krause then stole the inbounds pass and hit one of two free throws, making the score 65-63. Brandon Temperly grabbed the rebound on the second shot, and UWP ran out the clock.
The victory was the fourth in a row for the Pioneers, who are now 7-3. Since losing by 11 at top-ranked UW-Stevens Point, the Pioneers have defeated UW-Superior 77-42, UW-Whitewater 90-70, Wabash 58-35 and Marian. UW-Superior and UW-Whitewater both received votes in the D3hoops.com poll when the Pioneers played them while Marian earned votes in this week's NAIA national poll and defeated previously undefeated Wheaton Friday night.
Brad Reitzner earned tournament MVP honors in Crawfordsville, Ind. He scored 13 points vs. Marian, including a three-point shot with 1:07 to play, tying the score at 61-61. Marian's Tim Adams scored with 28 seconds left for a 63-61 advantage. The Pioneers missed their first shot with 15 seconds, and had the ball was knocked out of bounds. Crawford drove the lane for the game-tying shot and subsequent winning free throw.
Crawford, who had 17 points, and Mark Gossens, who scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds, joined Reitzner on the all-tournament team.
Brandon Temperly added nine points and nine rebounds, while Branden Jung scored eight points and Jeff Skemp seven.
Zach Reuter led Marian (5-4) with 13 points, while Dever Jordan added 12 and Derek Huffman 11.
After final exams, the Pioneers continue their six-game road trip Dec. 30 when they face highly-regarded Elmhurst.