The UW-Platteville men’s basketball team gave top-ranked Washington University everything they could handle on Nov. 25 at the Webster/Wash. U. Invitational in St. Louis.

However, the Pioneers’ efforts fell short as the Bears prevailed 87-76, handing UW-P its first loss of the season.

The reigning Pioneer Ford-Mercury/Tricor Insurance Tip-Off Classic champions took their 2-0 record on the road to Missouri, where they faced off against Webster University on Nov. 24 and No. 1-ranked Wash. U. on Nov. 25.

“It was a good trip to St. Louis, and playing two good teams as we did really gave us a chance to find out where we are individually and as a team,” Jeff Skemp, junior center, said.

“We went into those games for two more wins on our schedule,” Curt Hanson, sophomore shooting guard, said. “We knew that Wash. U. was a very good team, and we definitely had to play our best to win.”

The Pioneers had a strong showing against the Webster Gorloks for their first game of the tournament. UW-P used a 14-2 second half run to break the game open en route to their 65-50 victory.

Hanson led the Pioneers with 14 points and was 4-7 from the three-point line while junior forward Kyle Tetschlag added 13 points. All-American center Skemp scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds.

With the victory over the Gorloks came a huge obstacle for the Pioneers, a showdown with Wash. U.

Rebounding from their second loss of the season, the Bears came out with vengeance. Wash. U. got out to an early 16-4 advantage over the Pioneers; however, UW-P quickly closed in on the lead with an 8-0 run. At halftime, the Bears held a 35-30 advantage over the Pioneers.

Despite the Pioneers shooting 70 percent from the field during the second half, UW-P was unable to upset the Bears.

Skemp led the Pioneers on offense with 23 points. Mike Shaw added 13 points while Nick Allen scored 12 points.

“[Playing Wash. U.] was definitely a good opportunity because it shows where our team has to go to be one of the best teams in the nation,” Hanson said. “I think that the team was a little disappointed about how we played. We as a team feel like we could have won that game, and we just didn’t produce.”

The Pioneers’ record fell to 3-1 overall while the Bears improved to 3-2.

“The team has performed pretty well so far as a whole,” Tetschlag said. “We have not put a whole 40 minutes of our best basketball together yet, but when we do, we will be able to compete with anyone.”

The Pioneers will see their first WIAC action of the season at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, on Bo Ryan Court versus the UW-Superior Yellowjackets.

“We lost to Wash. U., so Superior better watch out,” Shaw said. “We have a good attitude, and if we stick together night in and night out, we will have a successful season.”

“We are all very excited to play in our conference because that’s where we are going to start to make a name for ourselves because of how good our conference is,” Hanson said. “I think that our team is very hungry to prove that we are a very good team.”