OSHKOSH, Wis.- The UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team took on the No. 4 nationally ranked UW-Platteville Pioneers at Kolf Sports Center on Wednesday (Jan 29). The Pioneers handed the Titans a loss by a score of 86-73.
 
Oshkosh was led by Carter Thomas (Jr. • Neenah), who scored a season high 27 points along with five rebounds, two steals, and a block in his 40 minutes on the hardwood. Brandon Beck (Fr. • Rockton, Ill.) notched 15 points, six rebounds, and two blocks. 
 
Both teams were very efficient from beyond the arc with the Titans (11-8, 2-6 WIAC) hitting 50 percent (9-of-18) of their threes to the Pioneers' (17-2, 7-1 WIAC) 53 percent (14-of-26). The Oshkosh bench was big in Wednesday's matchup, contributing 25 points compared to Platteville's 22
 
Platteville jumped out to an early 17-point lead, putting the score at 23-6 with 11:55 remaining in the first half. Over the next two minutes the Titans climbed back within nine points (23-14) with 9:55 remaining. Oshkosh then got within six after a 10-7 run with just under six minutes to go before Platteville closed the half on a 16-7 run to head into the locker room up 46-31.
 
In the first seven minutes of the second half, the Pioneers stretched their lead to 24 points with an 18-10 run, putting the score at 64-41. The Titans then halved the deficit by producing a 17-6 run, trailing 58-70 at 6:29. With another 11-7 run, the Titans got back within single digits at 77-69 with 3:01 left in the contest, however a 9-4 run for the Pioneers, including the final four points of the game, closed out the contest
 
Oshkosh is scheduled for a two game road trip after the WIAC-wide off day on Saturday (Feb. 2) the first of which being next Wednesday (Feb. 5) at Kachel Gymnasium at 7 p.m. to take on UW-Whitewater (9-10, 3-5 WIAC).