After the Eagles made their first three shots for an 8-2 lead two minutes into the contest, the Pioneers limited them to on two field goals over the next 12 minutes. The Pioneers erased that early deficit with a 16-2 run, taking a 20-10 lead.
UW-Platteville extended the margin to 39-20 by the half and led by as many as 35 in the second half. UWP shot 57.4 percent for the game, including 63 percent over the final period. The Pioneers, who were third in the nation in scoring defense last year, limited the Eagles to 30.6 from the field and out-rebounded them 37-22.
Both defending conference champions are now 2-1 on the year. The Pioneers, the reigning Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions, were led by freshman Bo Richter's 15 points off the bench. Junior Mike Jamerson added 14 points and three steals, and sophomore center Jeff Skemp had 12 points and seven rebounds. No Pioneer played more than 25 minutes, as Coach Paul Combs was able to substitute freely.
Freshmen guards Charlie Lohoff and Josh Langenfeld made their first starts for the Pioneers, and they handled the ball well. UWP had just 12 turnovers, with no one making more than two.
Edgewood, the defending Lake Michigan Conference champion and preseason favorite to recapture the crown, was led by Seth Cooper with 11 points and Charlie Averkamp with 10.
The Pioneers play in the Mississippi River Challenge at the University of Dubuque this weekend. The Pioneers play the host Spartans Friday at 8 p.m. and Loras Saturday at 3 p.m.