PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - One day after displaying a hot shooting hand, the Ripon men's basketball team received a taste of their own medicine in a 78-66 loss at UW-Platteville in a game that saw the Pioneers shoot 57 percent (30-53) from the field and 50 percent (10-20) from 3-point range. The Red Hawks on the other hand, converted 44 percent (24-55) of their shots and 45 percent (9-20) of their 3-pointers.

The game was close early on, with four ties and eight lead changes in the first half, while neither team led by more than four points during the first 13 and a half minutes. That changed with about six minutes left in the half when UW-Platteville scored six consecutive points, including a pair of baskets by Boston Johnson. Ripon then scored the next six, capped by a Jordan Stiede 3-pointer, but the Pioneers ended the half on a 5-1 run to take a 10-point lead into the locker room.

UW-Platteville led by double-digits the rest of the game, taking their largest lead of 22 with eight and a half minutes to play. The Pioneers turned the ball over just five times on the day, while forcing 10 Ripon miscues.

The Red Hawks were led by Ty Sabin's 17 points, which included four 3-pointers. Justin Leistikow added his first career double-double, scoring 11 points, to go along with a career-high 12 rebounds (four offensive). Kyle Loughrin finished with 10 points, three rebounds, and a team-high three assists.

The Pioneers were led by Johnson's 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Cory Vaassan and Jim Stocki added 15 and 14 points, respectively, while combining to shoot 13-for-22 from the field. Stocki also chipped in with a team-high eight rebounds.

Ripon will have one more game before conference play begins, as they'll travel to Marian University on Wednesday. That game will begin at 7 p.m. in Fond du Lac, Wis. and can be seen live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/marianwi/.