The Pioneers improved to 15-5 overall and 10-2 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Their eighth straight win moved the Pioneers 10 games over .500 for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. The Yellowjackets had their three-game winning streak stopped and are now 12-10, 3-10.
The 21st-ranked Pioneers shot 65 percent in the second half to overtake UW-Superior. Brad Reitzner finished with 25 points and four assists, while LeVon Crawford had 14 points, and Jeff Skemp added 13 on 6-6 shooting. Mark Gossens grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
Laron Reed led the home team with 23 points, including 21 in the Yellowjackets' sizzling first half. Superior led by as any as 12 at 46-34 but the Pioneers then went on a 23-9 run to take the lead at 57-55 on Brandon Temperly's basket and free throw with 8:41 left. The Yellowjackets tied the score at 57, but Crawford's jump shot on the next possession put the Pioneers up for good.
UW-Platteville has another huge game Wednesday when #22 UW-Oshkosh comes to Williams Fieldhouse for a 7 p.m. game. The Pioneers' last loss came in Oshkosh Jan. 4.