Three Titans To Attend NCAA Career In Sports Forum
Three UW-Oshkosh student-athletes have been selected to participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Career in Sports Forum. The conference will be held June 7-10 in Indianapolis, Ind.
Representing UW-Oshkosh are women's soccer player Katie Berkopec (So. • Apple Valley, Minn.), women's basketball player Rebekah Sittig (So. • Sturtevant) and women's softball player Celes Zaragoza (Fr. • San Antonio, Texas).
The three Titans are the only student-athletes chosen from a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference school. The only other school from Wisconsin with a participant is Carthage College.
The NCAA Career in Sports Forum is a four-day event through which selected student-athletes explore and are educated on careers in sports, with a primary focus on intercollegiate athletics. The participants are given an educational opportunity to learn and gain valuable exposure to careers in sports, specifically in the areas of coaching, administration and sports entertainment. They examine key functions of a coach or administrator within athletics, including foundational skills such as communication, networking, recruiting, managing culture and budgeting. Additionally, the Forum dispels myths about careers in athletics, as well as facilitates the opportunity to obtain information from current and future athletics professionals.
This year's forum will feature 300 of the 650 NCAA student-athletes who completed an application. |
Schumacher Steps Down As UW-Oshkosh Women's Basketball Coach
Terri Schumacher, who led the Titans to a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship in 2006, stepped down Friday (March 30) as the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Schumacher will remain as a member of the UW-Oshkosh athletics staff until her movement into a full-time position with the UW-Oshkosh Student Recreation & Wellness Center in July.
Schumacher made a name for herself in Oshkosh with success as a student-athlete, high school coach and collegiate coach. The 1985 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III All-American took over as UW-Oshkosh’s head coach in 2006. During her first season, the Titans posted a 19-8 record that included a 12-4 league mark for a share of the WIAC title.
The 2006 season featured a 7-1 start. UW-Oshkosh then recorded five straight victories in January to climb up the league standings. In the regular-season finale, the Titans rallied for a 61-58 overtime win over UW-Platteville to clinch the co-championship. UW-Oshkosh then went 1-1 in the WIAC Tournament, including a 68-58 loss to UW-Stevens Point in the semifinal round.
“I have enjoyed my coaching time at UW-Oshkosh,” Schumacher said. “I was blessed to work with some talented athletes during my tenure. I leave knowing that I have left a group of talented athletes with a sound base to build on.”
Schumacher’s second-best season was 2011. UW-Oshkosh finished fifth in the WIAC with a 7-9 record (12-14 overall). The Titans ranked first in the nation, ahead of 423 other teams, with 78.6-percent accuracy on free throws. Schumacher also coached the best three-point shooting team (43.8 percent) in the NCAA Division III during 2006.
Six players under Schumacher earned All-WIAC first team accolades, including Whitney Tyriver who was a selection in both 2007 and 2008. Other women receiving All-WIAC status were Shelby Churchill (2011), Shannon Eggers (2006), Brittany Herrick (2006), Becky Knapp (2007) and Kelly O’Keefe (2006).
"Terri has served UW-Oshkosh with the utmost pride, integrity and professionalism during the past seven years," said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Darryl Sims. "Most important has been Terri's commitment to the student-athletes that she coached. She always conducted her program with the player's best interest in mind, academically, athletically and personally."
Schumacher not only strived for excellence on the court, but in the classroom as well. From 2007 to 2011, Schumacher’s team improved its cumulative grade-point average from 2.93 to 3.31.
Schumacher’s collegiate coaching record of 71-107 (.399) includes a 59-42 upset over 10th-ranked UW-Stevens Point on Jan. 26, 2008.
Prior to taking over at UW-Oshkosh, Schumacher coached the girls basketball team at Oshkosh West High School for 13 years. Her final six seasons with the Wildcats were highlighted by a 131-35 record and Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Division 1 state titles in 2003 and 2004. Schumacher remains one of four female coaches to win a Division 1 championship in the past 30 years.
Schumacher also coached girls basketball at Plymouth High School from 1987-92, compiling a record of 69-44.
Following graduation from Plymouth High School in 1981, Schumacher attended UW-La Crosse and played basketball for the Eagles during the 1982 and 1983 campaigns. She then transferred to UW-Oshkosh and played for the Titans the next two years.
At UW-Oshkosh, Schumacher immediately became one of the dominant players in the WIAC and the NCAA Division III. In 1984, she received All-WIAC first team honors after averaging a league-leading 23.8 points per game. In an 82-70 loss to UW-Green Bay, Schumacher scored 41 points and made 19 field goals to establish a pair of school records.
In 1985, Schumacher led the Titans to an 18-8 record and their first WIAC championship. Schumacher received NCAA Division III All-America first team honors and was selected National Player of the Year by the American Women’s Sports Federation. She gained all-league accolades while averaging WIAC-highs of 27.3 points and 5.1 steals. Schumacher concluded her UW-Oshkosh career by scoring 40 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in an 85-69 victory over UW-Whitewater.
Schumacher scored 1,209 points during her 47 games with the Titans. Her scoring output is the eighth-best in school history. The 1986 UW-Oshkosh graduate was inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.
A national search will be held to find the program’s next head coach, with an announcement expected by July 1. |
Three Titans Earn WIAC All-Centennial Basketball Honors
UW-Oshkosh’s Kay Mikolajczak, Holly Spoo and Wendy Wangerin have been named to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women's Basketball All-Time Team. The league recognized 15 outstanding players as part of its centennial anniversary celebration.
Mikolajczak (2002-04) is UW-Oshkosh's all-time leader with 127 blocked shots. She also totaled 1,124 points and 643 rebounds. In 2004, Mikolajczak earned the Jostens Trophy, an award recognizing the most outstanding student-athlete in NCAA Division III basketball. Mikolajczak (Frankiin • Franklin High School) helped UW-Oshkosh to a 62-18 record and a share of the 2004 WIAC title. She played the 2001 season at UW-Eau Claire.
Spoo (1996-98) was part of an amazing three-year run that featured the Titans compiling an 80-6 record and winning two WIAC championships. In 1996, UW-Oshkosh went 31-0 and captured the NCAA Division III title. Spoo (New Richmond • New Richmond High School) was named WIAC Player of the Year and a first-team All-American in 1998. After playing the 1995 season at UW-River Falls, Spoo went to UW-Oshkosh and totaled 1,582 career points, the 14th-highest figure in WIAC history.
Wangerin (1993-96) is the only four-time All-WIAC selection in UW-Oshkosh history. In 1996,
she was named the NCAA Division III Player of the Year after leading the Titans to a 31-0 record and the national championship. Wangerin (Waukesha • Waukesha South High School) helped UW-Oshkosh to a 99-14 record, three NCAA Division III postseason appearances and three WIAC titles. She currently ranks fourth in WIAC history with 1,743 career points.
UW-Eau Claire led the way with five players on the all-time team. The former Blugolds chosen were Jayme Anderson (1999-2000), Kristi Channing (2000-03), Sue Christianson (1987-90), Arlene Meinholz (1992-95) and Erika Schmidt (1994-97).
From UW-Stevens Point, the all-time members included Kari Groshek (1998-2002), Amanda Nechuta (2002-05), Britta Petersen (2007-11) and Sonja Sorenson (1985-88).
The final three selections were UW-Stout’s Kelsey Duoss (2005-07), Julia Hirssig (2007-10) and Julie Maki (1990-93).
The WIAC is recognizing the outstanding individuals from the league's 100-year history. All-time teams are being selected in those men's and women's sports that have been classified as "championship" sports at some point since 1913. Additional teams will be released on a weekly basis throughout much of the 2011-12 academic year.
All-time team members will receive certificates from the conference and it is hoped that most, if not all, of the recipients will be in attendance or represented at the WIAC Centennial Banquet in Madison on Aug. 4, 2012.
More information on the activities and events associated with the WIAC Centennial is available at www.wiacsports.com. |
Kitzke, Wenig Awarded All-WIAC Honorable Mention
 UW-Oshkosh guards Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) and Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) have received honorable mention status on the All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Basketball Team.
Both Kitzke and Wenig started all 25 games this season. The duo played more than anyone else in the league, with Wenig averaging a conference-high 35 minutes and Kitzke 34 minutes per contest.
Kitzke ranked third in the WIAC with 13.8 points per game. She added an average of 3.1 rebounds and totaled 42 assists. With 39 percent accuracy, Kitzke hit 40 three-point shots in 103 attempts. She also recorded 26 steals to lead the Titans. Kitzke posted a career-high 21 points against UW-Platteville on Jan. 25.
In 75 career games, Kitzke already owns 839 points. Her other totals include 203 rebounds, 101 assists and 112 three-point baskets. During her sophomore season, Kitzke averaged 8.9 points and 2.4 boards per game. Her first year featured a scoring average of 10.9 points. Kitzke holds a career free-throw mark of 82 percent (229-281).
Wenig compiled the fifth-most assists in the conference with 84. She added 12.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while notching 21 steals. Sinking 84 percent (77-92) of her free throws, Wenig ranked third in the WIAC. Her personal-best 23 points came against UW-Stout on Jan. 14.
In each of her first three years, Wenig tallied at least 200 points and 45 assists. She posted 8.6 points per game last season after marking 9.0 her freshman campaign. In 74 contests, Wenig owns 736 points, 221 rebounds, 181 assists and 95 triples.
League coaches selected 10 players for the All-WIAC First Team and 12 for honorable mention. The first-team choices were Nicole Christianson, Callie Halama and Ellen Plendl of UW-Eau Claire, Tiffany Gregorich and Alise Holst of UW-River Falls, Ashley Averkamp and Sam Barber of UW-Stevens Point, Cortney Kumerow and Kaitlyn Thill of UW-Whitewater and Kassie Robinson of UW-La Crosse.
Barber was named the WIAC Player of the Year, while UW-Superior’s Donald Mulhern was selected as the league's Coach of the Year. UW-Stevens Point’s Cassie Bandow and UW-Superior’s Bri Davis shared the WIAC's Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete award.
2012 All-WIAC Women's Basketball Team |
Titans End Season With Loss To Blue Devils
  UW-Stout scored nine of the game’s final 10 points to pull out a 65-60 women’s basketball win over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday (Feb. 18) in Kolf Sports Center. The contest was the last of the season for both teams.
UW-Oshkosh
(7-18/1-15 WIAC) held a 59-56 lead after Ashley Winterfeldt’s (Jr. • Hortonville) lay-up with 3:05 remaining. UW-Stout (7-18/3-13 WIAC) tallied the next four points before Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) hit a free throw to tie the score at 60. UW-Stout then took the lead on Shelby Sterba’s two foul shots with 59 seconds left.
UW-Oshkosh missed its last three shots in the closing minute, while Katelynne Folkers sank a trio of free throws to clinch the victory. The tight game featured 11 ties, and the Blue Devils’ balanced attack was the difference. Eight UW-Stout players scored at least four points, including a 12-point outing by Bethany Reyzer.
UW-Oshkosh's Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) made all eight of her free throws to finish the contest with a game-high 17 points. The Titans also obtained 12 points, five rebounds and four assists from Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh). Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) notched nine rebounds and seven points in her 101st and final game.
Opening the contest, UW-Oshkosh hit 10 of 13 shots to go ahead. Leading 15-14, the Titans rattled off eight straight points, with the final five by Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells). Her jumper gave UW-Oshkosh a 23-14 lead with 11:07 left in the first half.
Reyzer then heated up with a pair of long-range jump shots. She turned her second three-point basket into a four-point play, tying the score at 26. UW-Stout’s 18-5 scoring run ended with a three-point play from Whitney Rawdon that put the visitors up, 32-28.
UW-Oshkosh trailed 37-34 at halftime but refused to go away. After Kitzke assisted on a Wenig three-point basket, Wenig set up Kitzke for her own three-point hoop that tied the contest at 42. Tollefson later scored a basket in the lane to make it 46-46 with 12 minutes remaining.
While both teams struggled to convert from the field, the Titans knocked down four free throws to pull within 51-50. Wenig swished a mid-range jumper at the 5:37 mark to again tie the score at 55.
The Blue Devils recorded 12 steals, including five apiece by Rawdon and Kayla Windt. Rawdon totaled eight points, to go with 11 points and six rebounds from Folkers.
UW-Stout finished with 37.5 percent (21-56) shooting from the field, including 44.4 (4-9) behind the three-point line. The Blue Devils shot 63.3 percent (19-30) from the free-throw line while collecting 38 rebounds and committing 13 turnovers.
UW-Oshkosh took advantage of its 20 free throws by making 17 for 85-percent marksmanship. The Titans added 3-of-12 shooting (25 percent) from the three-point area and 38.5 percent accuracy from the field (20-52). UW-Oshkosh grabbed 36 rebounds and turned the basketball over 20 times.
|
UW-Oshkosh Basketball Teams To Play 4Kay
UW-Oshkosh will hold a "Play 4Kay" event during the men's and women's basketball doubleheader against UW-Stout on Saturday (Feb. 18). Proceeds from the event will support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Play 4Kay, formerly known as WBCA Pink Zone, is an initiative that allows a nation of coaches to raise awareness and funds for cancer research on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.
The late Kay Yow, former North Carolina State University head women's basketball coach, served as the catalyst for Play 4Kay after her third recurrence of breast cancer in 2006. Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and passed away on January 24, 2009.
Play 4Kay at UW-Oshkosh kicks off with the women's game at 4 p.m. followed by the men's game at 6 p.m. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Play 4Kay lanyard and Walgreens discount card compliments of Wild Impact Marketing and Walgreens of Oshkosh. In addition to the activities, UW-Oshkosh athletics will donate $2 from every ticket sold to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Throughout the games, fans will have many ways to support the cause through games and raffles. Fans who make a donation will receive a pink Titan head, which, with their name and/or personal message included, will be displayed in the UW-Oshkosh Athletic Department during the month of February. T-Shirts will also be on sale during the event.
Since 2006, thousands of supporters have joined Coach Yow's team in the fight against breast cancer and have raised over $1.5 million for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion. The company operates 7,786 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America.
Wild Impact Marketing (www.wildimpact.com) has delivered brand building results by incorporating strategic thinking into creatively designed and executed marketing campaigns. Our "Community Get Connected" program is creating new local partnerships with universities. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Play 4 Kay event is one example of Walgreens becoming more integrated into their local communities and we are very excited to be part of the team.
For more information about Play 4 Kay and all UW-Oshkosh athletic news and events please visit, www.titans.uwosh.edu. |
25th-Ranked Warhawks Swipe Victory Over Titans
  UW-Whitewater recorded 12 steals in the first half on its way to an 85-50 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team on Wednesday (Feb. 15) in Kolf Sports Center. The Warhawks (19-5/11-4 WIAC) are ranked 25th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.
The Warhawk defense was strong in the opening six minutes, forcing the Titans (7-17/1-14 WIAC) into four turnovers and eight missed shots. UW-Whitewater, the conference leader in both scoring and steals, built a 7-0 lead on Jamie Swanson’s lay-up.
Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) snapped the scoreless streak with a three-point basket at the 14:04 mark. After the margin was cut to three points (9-6), the Warhawks rattled off a 14-5 scoring run. UW-Whitewater drained four consecutive shots, with a Chantel Burg hoop stretching the Warhawks' advantage to 23-11.
Tallying nine of UW-Oshkosh’s first 12 points, Kitzke knocked down a three-point shot and free throw late in the period. Meanwhile, the Warhawks continued to take the ball away and drive to the basket. Cortney Kumerow marked a lay-up before the buzzer to give her squad a 40-24 halftime cushion.
UW-Whitewater exploded out of the break with 19 points in just 4:42. The breakaway stretch featured five foul shots, four lay-ins and two three-pointers. Mary Merg counted seven of those points before Burg hit a bomb to make it 59-28 with 15:18 remaining.
The Titans hung with the Warhawks for the rest of the contest, getting two quick buckets by Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) to pull within 71-38. Amanda Crahan (Fr. • Bancroft) connected on a pair of deep jumpers late to obtain her six points.
Kitzke scored 20 to lead UW-Oshkosh, which also received six points from Ashley Winterfeldt (Jr. • Hortonville) and five assists from Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh). Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) posted 11 rebounds, with 10 in the first half, for a career-best.
UW-Oshkosh committed 18 turnovers while shooting 31 percent (18-59) from the field. The Titans added 67 percent success (8-12) at the charity stripe and 27 percent accuracy (6-22) from downtown.
Despite a 1-for-6 start, UW-Whitewater totaled 46 percent shooting (30-65) from the field. The Warhawks booked 46 percent marksmanship (6-13) behind the arc and 76 percent accuracy (19-25) on free throws while taking the rebounding battle, 46-35.
Merg paced all players with 16 points, as Katie Burton tallied 11 points for UW-Whitewater. Burg was a force all over the court with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks. The Warhawks turned the ball over just 10 times.
UW-Oshkosh concludes its 2011-12 season against UW-Stout on Saturday (Feb. 18) in Kolf Sports Center.
|
21st-Ranked Falcons Overpower Titans
  UW-River Falls opened the game with 11 minutes of shutout defense to gain a 71-46 women’s basketball triumph over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday (Feb. 11) in River Falls. The Falcons (19-4/11-3) are currently ranked 21st in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.
UW-Oshkosh missed its first 12 shots of the contest and fell behind, 16-0. The Falcons got their first five baskets from five different players, as Tess Lueders posted a lay-up at the 11:49 mark to lead, 13-0. Eleven players scored for UW-River Falls, including team-highs of 10 points and five assists by Alise Holst.
With 8:14 to play in the opening half, Sarah Stecker (So. • Menasha) got the Titans on the board with a free throw. Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) then connected from three-point range to pull within 16-4. UW-River Falls held UW-Oshkosh to 2-for-21 shooting (10 percent) in the period and held a 35-6 advantage at the break.
The Titans (7-16/1-13 WIAC) won the second half by a 40-36 tally. Right out of the locker room, UW-Oshkosh booked a 14-5 scoring run that began with a Kitzke lay-up and concluded with a Kitzke three-pointer. The closest the score would get was a 42-20 figure with 15:50 remaining.
Brittany Gregorich counted back-to-back hoops as the Falcons stretched their margin. After a Jamie Kenealy lay-in with 9:34 on the clock, UW-River Falls held its largest lead of 60-25.
Kitzke nailed seven of her 11 shots for a game-best 20 points. UW-Oshkosh also obtained six points from Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells), five assists from Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) and five rebounds from Alissa Schuh (Fr. • Freedom). The Titans totaled 32 percent (17-53) overall accuracy, including 4-of-8 from deep and 8-of-10 at the foul line (80 percent).
UW-River Falls owned a huge advantage in rebounds, 50-25, including a 20-7 disparity on the offensive end. Maranda Dohrn grabbed 12 boards with nine points for the Falcons, who also used nine points by Brittany Gregorich and eight points by Kenealy.
Remaining one game back of conference-leading UW-Stevens Point, the Falcons compiled 45 percent (29-65) shooting from the field, 33 percent (4-12) success behind the arc and 75 percent marksmanship (9-12) at the charity stripe.
UW-Oshkosh returns home to face UW-Whitewater on Wednesday (Feb. 15) in Kolf Sports Center.
|
Titans Come Up Short In Battle With 10th-Ranked Pointers
  UW-Stevens Point ran its winning streak to seven games with a 66-56 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team on Wednesday (Feb. 8) in Stevens Point. The Pointers (20-3/12-2 WIAC) are ranked 10th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.
After a three-pointer by Cassie Bandow to go ahead, 11-10, the Pointers led for the final 35 minutes of play. Sam Barber compiled 15 points and Bandow 13 points, while Ashley Averkamp hauled in a game-best nine rebounds. UW-Stevens Point forced the Titans into 23 turnovers during the contest.
UW-Oshkosh (7-15/1-12 WIAC) was led by 16 points from Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) and 15 by Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells). Despite converting 19-of-26 free throws (73 percent), the Titans totaled 38 percent (17-45) shooting from the field and 27 percent (3-11) accuracy from three-point land.
Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) connected from downtown just nine seconds after the opening tip. Another three-ball from Wenig put UW-Oshkosh up, 10-8, with 15:25 on the clock. That would be the Titans’ final advantage of the night.
A three-point play by Myranda Tyler capped the Pointers’ 8-0 scoring run that took the lead. UW-Oshkosh kept fighting, using a Kitzke three-point play to make it 22-17. UW-Stevens Point then snatched three offensive rebounds in one minute and had Bandow drain a triple to lead, 31-19.
The Pointers held a 33-27 cushion at the break, but Ashley Winterfeldt (Jr. • Hortonville) hit a free throw to pull within 35-32 with 18 minutes left. Midway through the half, Sam Barber tallied four straight points to stretch the margin to 46-36 with 12 minutes on the clock.
Wenig later found the bottom of the net for three points, getting UW-Oshkosh as close as 48-43 at the 9:50 mark. Bandow had a response with two field goals and a free throw that put her squad on top, 58-46. The Pointers led by at least eight points the rest of the way.
UW-Stevens Point posted just 2-of-17 shooting (12 percent) behind the arc, but it made half its two-point tries to finish at 40 percent (26-65) from the field. The Pointers also sank 12-of-16 foul shots (75 percent) and committed 12 turnovers.
The Titans, using six boards by Sarah Stecker (So. • Menasha), tied the Pointers with 36 rebounds. Kitzke also supplied 11 points and two steals for the visitors.
UW-Oshkosh concludes its five-game road trip at UW-River Falls on Saturday (Feb. 11). |
Yellowjackets Escape With Win Over Titans
  Hailey Hart recorded a double-double and scored the game-winning point from the free-throw line as UW-Superior held on for a 53-52 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team on Saturday (Feb. 4) in Superior.
The Yellowjackets
tied the score and then went ahead on Hart's two foul shots with 1:03 remaining. UW-Oshkosh committed a turnover on its next possession, but two missed free throws by Hart with 11 seconds left gave the Titans another opportunity. UW-Oshkosh passed the basketball around for the next nine seconds and got the shot it wanted, but Heather Conroy's (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) lay-up missed the mark as time expired.
UW-Oshkosh (7-14/1-1 WIAC) had seven different players account for its first 15 points of the contest. After Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) buried a jump shot, Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) drove for a lay-up to give the Titans an 11-6 lead. The Yellowjackets later grabbed a 13-11 advantage when Keely Deadrick sank consecutive jumpers.
The shooting percentages began to drop for both teams, but Connie Urmanski finally made a three-pointer to put the Yellowjackets up, 18-13. The largest margin of the first half came when Mariah Marcol converted a lay-up to give UW-Superior a 24-17 lead with 4:29 to play before intermission.
UW-Superior (10-11/4-9 WIAC) held a 27-22 lead at the break and quickly expanded its advantage to 35-24 on two baskets from Carly Chell. Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) sank a pair of jumpers around the 16-minute mark to pull the Titans to a 35-28 deficit. After the squads traded baskets, Marcol converted a free throw to give the Yellowjackets a 47-37 lead.
Finding its groove, UW-Oshkosh tallied 12 of the next 14 points. Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) started things with a hoop from behind the arc and drilled another three-point shot to slice the Titans' deficit to 49-45. UW-Oshkosh then pulled even at 49 on a lay-up by Shelby Sarafin (Fr. • Amherst) with 4:41 left.
Hart scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Deadrick added 14 points and five rebounds while Bri Davis contributed nine points and 10 rebounds.
Wenig paced UW-Oshkosh with 11 points and eight rebounds. The Titans also received 10 points and six rebounds from Conroy, eight points and eight rebounds from Paisar and four points and eight rebounds from Kitzke.
UW-Oshkosh was held to 28.8 percent (19-66) shooting from the field. The Titans made just 4-of-20 three-point shots (20 percent) and 10-of-16 free throws (62.5 percent). UW-Oshkosh marked a 50-42 rebounding advantage while committing 10 turnovers.
UW-Superior shot 33.9 percent (19-56) from the field, but just 18.8 percent (3-16) behind the three-point arc. The Yellowjackets shot only 46.2 percent (12-26) from the free-throw line while turning the basketball over 11 times.
UW-Oshkosh visits 13th-ranked UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday (Feb. 8).
|
16th-Ranked Blugolds' Hot Start Deflates Titans
Eagles' Defense Quiets Titans
  UW-La Crosse posted a double-digit rebounding advantage and allowed just 25.9 percent (14-54) field goal shooting to earn a 67-48 win over the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team on Saturday (Jan. 28) in La Crosse.
Kassie Robinson scored season-high 20 points and contributed three blocked shots on the defensive end for UW-La Crosse. The Eagles (14-5/7-3 WIAC) also benefitted from the 10 points and five rebounds from Briana Radowicz, nine points and nine rebounds from Mallory Cramer and five points, eight rebounds and four assists from Katie Ehlen.
UW-Oshkosh (7-12/1-9 WIAC) was led by the 13 points and three assists from Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh), 10 points, two rebounds and three steals from Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) and four points and five rebounds from Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells).
Never trailing in the contest, the Eagles got their first six points from Robinson. UW-Oshkosh came back with three-point baskets by Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) and Wenig to get an 8-6 deficit. Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) later earned a lay-up to pull the Titans to within 15-14.
Robinson converted an inside bucket to start a string of 12 straight points for UW-La Crosse. Alyssa Streck made a long-range jumper, and Cramer hit a lay-up to give the Eagles a 27-14 lead with 4:03 left in the first half.
UW-La Crosse
owned a 31-21 lead at halftime and came out firing in the second period. Robinson tallied two field goals, turning one into a three-point play. A Radowicz three-point basket later extended the Eagles' lead to 43-25.
Kitzke accounted for two three-point baskets midway through the second half, but the Titans had five empty possessions in between. Wenig eventually swished four consecutive shots at the foul line to make it a 57-39 deficit with 6:02 remaining.
UW-Oshkosh retrieved 36 rebounds and committed 15 turnovers. The Titans shot 26.7 percent (4-15) behind the three-point arc and 80 percent (16-20) from the free-throw line.
UW-La Crosse registered shooting percentages of 44.4 (24-54) from the field, 42.9 (3-7) behind the three-point line and 50 percent (16-32) from the free-throw stripe. The Eagles grabbed 49 rebounds and turned the basketball over 16 times.
UW-Oshkosh visits UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday (Feb. 1) for the second of five straight road games. |
Pioneers' Second-Half Surge Denies Titans
  Kim Wellnitz tallied eight of her 23 points in the final 3:12 to give UW-Platteville a 68-63 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team on Wednesday (Jan. 25) in Kolf Sports Center.
The contest was tied at 54 when Wellnitz broke the Titans’ momentum with a three-pointer. She then added another long-range jumper at the 1:04 mark to stretch UW-Platteville’s lead to 64-58. The Pioneers (8-11/4-6 WIAC) drained four free throws to close out the game.
Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) led three UW-Oshkosh (7-11/1-8 WIAC) players who tallied career-high scoring totals. Kitzke marked 21 points and six rebounds, while Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) posted 13 points and Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) 12. The Titans shot 59 percent (16-27) during the second half to come back and take their first lead in 32 minutes.
As UW-Oshkosh opened the night with 1-for-9 shooting, the Pioneers amassed a 14-3 lead. Ashley Henry supplied her team’s first seven points, with Jordan Johnson booking the next five.
The margin remained around 10 points for the rest of the first half. UW-Platteville misfired on five straight shots before Wellnitz swished a pair of jumpers to go ahead, 25-13. Conroy and Paisar combined for UW-Oshkosh’s last nine points of the period to pull within 27-22 at halftime.
After allowing eight offensive rebounds during the first 20 minutes, the Titans surrendered just two the rest of the way. An 11-2 scoring run was capped by Alicia Tollefson’s (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) three-point play to tie the score at 39 with 12:55 remaining.
The game would be deadlocked three more times before the Pioneers grabbed control. Liz Lawinger sank a jumper with the foul, and Henry did the same moments later to gain a 52-50 cushion with 5:15 left.
Henry totaled 17 points and a game-high seven boards, as Lawinger tacked on 11 points and four assists for UW-Platteville. The Pioneers converted 13-of-15 foul shots (87 percent), all in the second half, to go with 42 percent (25-60) shooting and 26-percent deep accuracy (5-19).
The Titans committed 14 turnovers, compared to just nine for the Pioneers. UW-Oshkosh, playing its only home game in a span of 35 days, finished with 48 percent (24-50) shooting, 28-percent marksmanship (5-18) behind the arc and 10-of-16 success (63 percent) on free throws.
A five-game WIAC road trip begins at UW-La Crosse on Saturday (Jan. 28). |
Warhawks Notch Win over Titans
  Kaitlyn Thill made 3-of-3 shots behind the arc, including one for the lead, during UW-Whitewater’s 70-56 women’s basketball triumph over UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday (Jan. 18) in Whitewater.
The Titans (7-10/1-7 WIAC) held a 45-43 advantage with 13 minutes left before the Warhawks (13-4/5-3 WIAC) posted a 27-9 scoring run to take over. With 10 minutes remaining, Thill buried a triple to go in front, 47-45. Chantel Burg later added two inside hoops as UW-Whitewater stretched the margin to 59-49 with 4:54 to play.
UW-Oshkosh managed 50 percent (23-46) shooting, including 8-of-14 accuracy (57 percent) from deep, but was slowed by 20 turnovers. Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) paced the Titans with 17 points, five assists and three rebounds. Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) contributed 14 points and Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) 11 points.
Cortney Kumerow topped four Warhawks in double figures with her 13 points. Thill marked 12 points and four assists, while Burg and Mary Merg each totaled 10 points. UW-Whitewater, which shot 54 percent (26-48) overall, took advantage of five steals by Burg and five boards from Steff Glynn.
The contest featured four ties in the opening 16 minutes. Wenig accounted for seven straight Titan points to gain an early 9-7 lead. UW-Oshkosh then tallied nine unanswered points, using Katie Kitzke’s (Jr. • South Milwaukee) three-ball to go ahead 18-12 at the 11:17 mark.
Facing that six-point deficit, the Warhawks bounced back with a 22-6 streak. Thill started things with a lay-in before Katie Burton nailed a jumper to take the 24-22 lead. Thill counted two triples before halftime to make it a 34-26 margin.
Tollefson swished a pair of three-pointers during the second half to tie the score at 39. After a few minutes where both teams struggled to convert, Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) connected from downtown and Wenig followed with a triple to gain the 45-43 cushion.
The Warhawks held a 10-point advantage at the foul line after hitting 12-of-16 attempts (75 percent), compared to the Titans’ 2-of-6 success (33 percent). UW-Whitewater sank six of its 15 long-range tries (40 percent) to capture its seventh straight victory.
UW-Oshkosh returns home to face UW-Platteville on Wednesday (Jan. 25) in Kolf Sports Center. |
Titans Defeat Blue Devils For First Conference Win
  UW-Oshkosh made a season-high 11 three-pointers to bring down the UW-Stout women's basketball team, 74-61, on Saturday (Jan. 14) in Menomonie.
Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) paced the Titans (7-9/1-6 WIAC) to their first conference win of the season by tying a career best with 23 points. Wenig converted on seven of her 13 shots from the field, including 5-of-10 attempts behind the three-point arc. She also dished out four assists and grabbed two rebounds.
Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) added 18 points, including four three-point baskets, and four rebounds, while Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) contributed nine points and four rebounds. The Titans also received six points and six rebounds from Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) and five points, four rebounds and three assists from Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.).
During the game’s opening nine minutes, all of the Titans' field goals came from three-point range. Four different players swished a long jumper, as Wenig’s hoop put UW-Oshkosh in front 14-10 with 12:28 on the clock.
UW-Stout (4-12/0-7 WIAC) turned up the defense and converted eight free throws to come back. A jumper and foul shot by Shannon Campbell gave the Blue Devils a 25-21 lead. UW-Oshkosh then scored nine unanswered points and used Shelby Serafin’s (Fr. • Amherst) jump shot to go ahead, 30-25.
There were seven lead changes in the first half, and the Titans took a 34-28 lead to intermission. Wenig and Kitzke stretched that difference with two more three-point baskets to give UW-Oshkosh a 40-31 lead with 17:16 left.
A traditional three-point play from Kayla Windt started a 10-0 scoring run for UW-Stout. Following consecutive jumpers by Whitney Rawdon, Windt sank one attempt at the charity stripe to give the Blue Devils a 41-40 advantage with 11:39 to go.
Wenig responded with a mid-range jumper and a three-point basket to put the Titans back on top. UW-Oshkosh outscored the home squad, 13-1, during a four-minute span to take control. Kitzke capped the scoring run with a three-point basket to extend the Titan lead to 53-42 with 7:44 remaining.
After another Kitzke three-point basket with 4:05 on the clock, the Titans led by 10-plus points the rest of the way.
Rawdon scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds for UW-Stout, while Ronnie Moltzau added 12 points and two steals and Katelynne Folkers 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
UW-Oshkosh, which won in Menomonie for the first time since the 2002-03 season, finished the game shooting 41.3 percent (19-46) from the field. The Titans posted a 38-26 rebounding advantage while shooting 50 percent (11-22) behind the three-point arc and 86.2 percent (25-29) from the free-throw line.
UW-Stout compiled shooting percentages of 38.6 (17-44) from the field and 59 (23-39) from the free-throw line. The Blue Devils made just four of their 14 (28.6 percent) three-point shots.
UW-Oshkosh has its next contest at UW-Whitewater on Wednesday (Jan. 18).
|
Titans Battle 25th-Ranked Blugolds To The Final Minute
  Callie Halama’s 11 rebounds and Ellen Plendl’s seven blocks helped UW-Eau Claire come away with a 52-47 women’s basketball win over UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday (Jan. 11) in Kolf Sports Center. The Blugolds (13-3/6-1 WIAC) entered the night ranked 25th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.
The frontcourt duo impacted the outcome, as Halama scored a game-high 17 points and Plendl marked 10 points and nine rebounds. UW-Eau Claire posted a 43-32 edge in boards for the contest.
Plendl and Halama converted five straight free throws, following two offensive rebounds, to go ahead 50-37 with 4:39 remaining. The Titans (6-9/0-6 WIAC) then rallied with 10 unanswered points to make it a three-point margin. Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) counted three foul shots to pull within 50-47 with 31 seconds left.
Nicole Christianson iced the victory with two shots at the charity stripe. Christianson totaled nine points and six rebounds for the Blugolds, who made 14-of-19 free throws (74 percent). UW-Eau Claire added 35 percent (18-52) overall shooting, including 33 percent from long range (2-6).
Both teams struggled to score early on, with just five total points in five minutes. UW-Oshkosh made 1-of-10 field goals before Katie Kitzke (So. • South Milwaukee) converted inside to pull within one (6-5). The Titans later tied the score at 10 on a lay-in by Shelby Serafin (Fr. • Amherst) at the eight-minute mark.
Down 17-14, the Blugolds went on a 25-8 scoring run over the next 12 minutes. Halama registered the last seven UW-Eau Claire points before halftime to gain a 24-23 lead. At the buzzer, Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) nailed a half-court shot to close the period with a bang.
The visitors continued to roll, posting a 15-2 advantage to open the second half. Courtney Lewis finished a three-point play and Christianson buried a triple to make it 35-23. The Titans hit their first shot of the period after 6:42 had elapsed.
Kitzke sank a lay-up with the foul to obtain a 41-31 deficit at the 11:32 mark. Consecutive jumpers by Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) and Ashley Winterfeldt (Jr. • Hortonville) then made it 45-37 before UW-Eau Claire extended its cushion.
The Titans compiled 31 percent (16-51) shooting, including 42 percent (5-12) behind the arc, and 10-of-16 accuracy (63 percent) at the foul line. Kitzke topped the squad with 12 points, as Myklebust gained 10 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
UW-Oshkosh plays seven of its next eight games on the road, beginning at UW-Stout on Saturday (Jan. 14). |
Eagles Take Contest From Titans
  Rachael Salata scored six points in the final 99 seconds as UW-La Crosse earned a 63-54 triumph over the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team on Saturday (Jan. 7) in Kolf Sports Center.
UW-La Crosse
(11-3/4-1 WIAC) outscored UW-Oshkosh (6-8/0-5 WIAC) by a 14-4 margin to end the game. Down 50-49, Kassie Robinson sank two free throws to give the Eagles the lead. Salata then drilled a three-point shot to give UW-La Crosse a 54-50 advantage. The Eagles sealed their win by making 9-of-10 free throws. The Titans had four turnovers and three missed field goal attempts in the Eagles' game-ending scoring run.
Robinson totaled 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists for UW-La Crosse. The Eagles also received 12 points, 13 rebounds and five steals from Katie Ehlen, 12 points and five rebounds from Salata and 10 points and three steals from Briana Radowicz.
UW-Oshkosh got an impressive performance from Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh), who scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished off five assists. Wenig had the shot of the game as she banked in a first-half underarm shot from 35-feet out with one second left on the shot clock. The three-point basket was one of four made by Wenig in the contest.
The Titans also acquired eight points and 12 rebounds from Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells), eight points from Katie Kitzke (So. • South Milwaukee) and five points and one assist from Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis).
The two squads were separated by five points or less for the first 38 minutes of play. Following ties at 6, 11 and 13, the Titans mounted an 8-2 scoring run to pull ahead. Wenig finished off a three-point play and Kitzke made two free throws to give UW-Oshkosh a 21-16 lead. The Titans went to intermission with a 28-27 advantage.
UW-La Crosse went up early in the second half and fought off numerous UW-Oshkosh advances. Robinson and Mallory Cramer each made a basket to give the visitors a 35-30 lead. UW-Oshkosh answered with eight of the next 10 points, using two Melissa Franken (So. • St. Francis) foul shots to take a 38-37 lead with 10:28 left.
For a span of six minutes, the Titans missed all six of their shots while making four free throws. UW-Oshkosh's defense held UW-La Crosse scoreless during that span as the Titans tied the score at 47 with 3:18 remaining. Wenig then drained her fourth three-point shot to give UW-Oshkosh its final lead at 50-49.
UW-Oshkosh shot 37 percent (17-46) from the field and 77.8 (14-18) from the free-throw line. The Titans made 6-of-15 (40 percent) three-point shots while grabbing 36 rebounds and committing 24 turnovers.
UW-La Crosse shot 37.3 percent (22-59) from the field, 12.5 (2-16) behind the three-point arc and 63 (17-27) from the free-throw stripe. The Eagles collected 38 rebounds, including 17 on the offensive end, and committed 11 turnovers.
UW-Oshkosh has its third straight home game when it battles UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday (Jan. 11) in Kolf Sports Center. |
Yellowjackets Sting Titans
  UW-Superior had five players score at least nine points during its 74-66 women’s basketball win over UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday (Jan. 4) in Kolf Sports Center.
The Yellowjackets (8-5/2-3 WIAC) were guided by Hailey Hart, who tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. UW-Superior also received 16 points and five rebounds from Sally Linzmeier, 15 points and seven rebounds from Bri Davis, 13 points from Connie Urmanski and nine points from Carly Chell.
UW-Superior got its first victory in Oshkosh on 50.9 percent (29-57) shooting from the field, including 46.7 (7-15) behind the three-point arc. The Yellowjackets made 9-of-14 free throws, collected 30 rebounds and committed just eight turnovers.
UW-Superior
dominated the opening 15 minutes and the final 15 minutes of the contest. Hitting 5-of-6 shots to start the game, the Yellowjackets took an 18-9 lead on two jumpers from Davis. She then sank two inside shots to put UW-Superior in front 27-14 with eight minutes left in the first half.
Trailing 35-22, UW-Oshkosh (6-7/0-4 WIAC) showed life by scoring 12 unanswered points. Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) and Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) made back-to-back three-point shots to pull the Titans within 35-34. Hillary Peterson then sank a jump shot at the horn to give UW-Superior a three-point halftime margin.
Nichole Paisar’s (Fr. • Leopolis) three-point basket and Kelsey Myklebust’s (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) lay-in gave UW-Oshkosh its first lead at 43-42. The Yellowjackets responded with a 17-4 scoring run to go up for good. Hart converted two baskets and a free throw to stretch the Yellowjackets' lead to 61-51 with nine minutes remaining.
UW-Superior’s lead never shrunk below seven points (67-60) as it extended its winning streak to a school-record tying four games. It was just the Yellowjackets third win over UW-Oshkosh in 59 meetings.
Wenig made all eight of her free throws to lead UW-Oshkosh in scoring with 17 points. Kitzke added 15 points and three assists, Myklebust 10 points, six rebounds and three assists and Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) nine points and three rebounds.
UW-Oshkosh, which made 10 of its last 15 shots from the field in the first half, finished the contest with 44.9 percent (22-49) accuracy. The Titans shot 43.8 percent (7-16) behind the three-point line and 88.2 percent (15-17) from the free-throw stripe. UW-Oshkosh grabbed 28 rebounds and committed 10 turnovers.
UW-Oshkosh welcomes a visit by UW-La Crosse to Kolf Sports Center on Saturday (Jan. 7). |
Blue Jays Stifle Titans
  Westminster College (Mo.) allowed just three points in the opening 13 minutes as it notched a 55-41 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team on Friday (Dec. 30) in Waverly, Iowa.
The Blue Jays (7-2) used three-point baskets by Kenna Cornelson, Leigh Ann Lutz and Rachel Backes to take a 15-3 lead after 4:23 of play. The Titans (6-6) were unable to make their second field goal until 6:11 remained in the first half. Westminster College kept a comfortable lead, with its smallest advantage being 43-33 with 8:37 left in the game.
Cornelson and Lutz each scored 13 points for the victors, while Backes tallied 10 points and six rebounds. The Blue Jays also received eight points and nine rebounds from Liz Klaffenbach.
UW-Oshkosh was led by the 17 points, three rebounds and two steals of Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee), 13 points and three rebounds of Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) and the two points, six rebounds and two steals of Shelby Sarafin (Fr. • Amherst).
From the 15:37 mark to the 6:29 mark of the first half, the teams combined to miss all 22 of their shots from the field. Lutz ended that scoring drought with a three-pointer and a jumper to put the Blue Jays ahead 20-5. Backes drained another shot behind the three-point arc to give Westminster College a 25-9 advantage at intermission.
UW-Oshkosh found its offensive rhythm during the second half and scored 12 unanswered points. The first six came at the charity stripe, with Wenig converting four attempts. Kitzke and Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) then buried consecutive three-point shots to cut the Titans' deficit to 35-25 with 14:47 left.
Kitzke recorded a traditional three-point play before her long-distance jump shot pulled the Titans within 43-33. Westminster College posted five field goals after that, while yielding just one in the final eight minutes, to capture the first meeting between these two schools.
UW-Oshkosh shot 19 percent (4-21) from the field in the first half and finished the contest at 26.8 (11-41). The Titans converted 14-of-15 (93.3 percent) free throws and 5-of-16 (27.8 percent) three-point shots. UW-Oshkosh committed 22 turnovers and was outrebounded, 40-34.
Westminster College recorded shooting percentages of 34.5 (20-58) from the field, 60 (9-15) from the free-throw line and 40 (6-15) behind the three-point line. The Blue Jays turned the basketball over 11 times.
UW-Oshkosh returns to conference action against UW-Superior on Wednesday (Jan. 4) in Kolf Sports Center. |
10th-Ranked Bears Start Fast In Victory Over Titans
  Washington University (Mo.) bolted to a 10-0 lead and cruised to a 61-48 women’s basketball win over UW-Oshkosh on Thursday (Dec. 29) in Waverly, Iowa. The Bears, who have won 89 of their last 104 games, entered the contest ranked 10th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.
Claire Schaeperkoetter and Bethany Morrison each converted an early three-point shot to give Washington University (9-1) a double-digit lead after four minutes of play. Schaeperkoetter finished the contest with a team-high 17 points, including five three-point baskets.
Sarah Stecker (So. • Menasha) and Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) were the only UW-Oshkosh players to score in the game’s opening 15 minutes. A three-pointer by Wenig made it a 20-9 deficit with 9:43 on the clock. Washington University then staged a 15-4 scoring run, featuring three three-point baskets by Schaeperkoetter, to take a 35-13 halftime lead.
UW-Oshkosh
chipped away with long-range jumpers by Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) and Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) to make it a 41-25 deficit with 14:33 remaining. Down by 20 points, the Titans posted a 14-3 scoring run to make their deficit 53-44 with 3:25 left. Washington University, which captured the 2010 NCAA Division III national title, then scored eight of the next 12 points to seal its fifth straight win.
UW-Oshkosh (6-5) received 18 points and three rebounds from Wenig, 12 points and three rebounds from Stecker and six points and eight rebounds from Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells).
The Titans shot 28.8 percent (15-52) from the field after shooting just 12.5 percent (3-24) in the first half. UW-Oshkosh made 62.5 percent (15-24) of its free throws and 37.5 percent (3-8) of its three-point shots. The Titans collected 38 rebounds, including 17 on the offensive end, and committed 15 turnovers.
Washington University had two other double-figure scorers in Annie Sayers and Melissa Gilkey. Sayers contributed 15 points and four rebounds, while Gilkey added 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
The Bears shot 45.7 percent (21-46) from the field and 76.5 percent (13-17) from the free-throw line. Washington University, which grabbed 34 rebounds and lost the basketball 14 times, made 35.3 percent (6-17) of its three-point shots.
UW-Oshkosh lines up against Westminster College (Mo.) on Friday (Dec. 30) in Waverly, Iowa. |
Titans Nip Green Knights On Kitzke's Last-Second Shot
  Katie Kitzke’s (Jr. • South Milwaukee) 10-foot runner trickled in at the buzzer to give UW-Oshkosh a 65-63 women’s basketball victory over St. Norbert College on Tuesday (Dec. 20) in Kolf Sports Center.
The Titans tied the score at 63 on the first of Megan Wenig's (Jr. • Oshkosh) two free-throw attempts with 31 seconds remaining. Wenig then retrieved the rebound of her second free throw to set up UW-Oshkosh's winning possession. Following a time out with 12 seconds left, Kitzke drove the lane and tossed up her shot just before the clock expired. The ball circled the rim before falling to end UW-Oshkosh’s four-game losing streak.
In a contest that featured 18 lead changes and nine ties, the squads were even at 57 with 3:23 remaining. Krista Pelky connected from three-point range to put St. Norbert College (7-3) in front. The Titans (6-4) then got two free throws and a three-point play by Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) to take a 62-60 advantage. Jamie Kuhl answered with a three-point play to give the Green Knights their one-point margin with 58 seconds left.
Kitzke scored a game-high 17 points, while Wenig totaled nine points and a career-best eight assists. The Titans also received 15 points and five rebounds from Myklebust and 10 points and five rebounds from Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis).
UW-Oshkosh made 50 percent (21-42) of its shots from the field and 74.1 percent (20-27) of its attempts from the free-throw line. The Titans were 3-of-12 shooting (25 percent) from the three-point area.
Pelky, who tallied all 16 of her points in the second half, led St. Norbert College in scoring. She also grabbed five rebounds and dished off two assists. The Green Knights, who lost for just the 20th time in 115 games, also received 12 points and nine rebounds from Tasha Giese and 10 points and five rebounds from Kuhl.
St. Norbert College finished the game shooting 37.7 percent (23-61) from the field after marking 24.2-percent (8-33) accuracy in the first half. The Green Knights made 14-of-18 (77.8 percent) free throws and 3-of-10 (30 percent) three-point shots. St. Norbert College, a NCAA Division III postseason tournament qualifier the past two seasons, committed just seven turnovers while winning the rebounding battle, 34-32.
UW-Oshkosh opened the game with stifling defense, holding the Green Knights to just 3-of-17 shooting from the field. The Titans went on a 12-2 scoring run to take a 14-7 lead midway through the half. Four different players made a basket during the stretch, including a long-range connection by Paisar.
Giese helped St. Norbert College remain within striking distance. She buried two lay-ups and three free throws to cut the Green Knights' deficit to 23-20 with 1:36 left in the opening half.
St. Norbert College took a 28-27 lead with 17 minutes to play. Pelky increased that advantage to 35-31 with a three-point basket. The game was tight the rest of the way, as Kitzke and Paisar hit clutch three-point bombs to put UW-Oshkosh ahead, 41-39, with 11:38 left.
St. Norbert College
played without head coach Connie Tilley, who missed her first game in 35 years at the helm of the women's basketball program - a span of 822 games. Tilley had surgery earlier Tuesday in Green Bay to repair a broken wrist suffered in an icy fall Dec. 10 while on a road trip in Galesburg, Ill.
UW-Oshkosh clashes with 10th-ranked Washington University (Mo.) on Dec. 29 in Waverly, Iowa. |
Pioneers Pull Away From Titans
  UW-Platteville hit seven straight shots to close the first half and gain a 78-66 women’s basketball victory over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday (Dec. 17) in Platteville.
The Pioneers (5-6/2-2 WIAC) trailed 21-17 with five minutes left in the opening period. UW-Platteville then went on a 16-7 scoring run to go ahead 33-28 at intermission. Kim Wellnitz converted two jump shots before Liz Lawinger sank a pair of lay-ups and a free throw in the final 58 seconds of the opening period.
Wellnitz topped UW-Platteville with 22 points, as Lawinger totaled 19 points, four assists and three steals. Ashley Henry posted 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Pioneers, who shot 46 percent (29-63) from the field and 78.9 percent (15-19) from the free-throw line. UW-Platteville made 5-of-17 (29.4 percent) three-point shots.
UW-Oshkosh (5-4/0-3 WIAC) rebounded from an early 13-9 deficit with a 12-4 scoring run. The streak featured five field goals from five different players, as Ashley Winterfeldt (Jr. • Hortonville) buried a jump shot to give the Titans a 21-17 advantage.
Henry converted a lay-in and jump shot after halftime to put the Pioneers up 37-28. The Titans then went to their outside game, swishing four three-point shots in a span of five minutes. Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) counted the last two buckets to cut UW-Oshkosh's deficit to 50-43 with 11:05 remaining.
The margin never fell below seven points, and it grew as large as 66-50 when Wellnitz converted inside with 5:17 left. UW-Platteville was successful in the contest because it had just six turnovers, while the Titans committed 14. Claire Poad marked three of the Pioneers’ eight steals.
Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) counted a career-high 23 points for the Titans. She also grabbed four rebounds and dished off four assists. The Titans also received 14 points and seven rebounds from Kitzke, nine points from Megan Lund (Sr. • Reedsville) and seven points and five rebounds from Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells).
UW-Oshkosh marked shooting percentages of 42.9 (24-56) from the field, 44.4 (8-18) behind the three-point line and 55.6 (10-18) from the charity stripe. The Titans lost the rebounding battle, 37-36.
UW-Oshkosh returns to Kolf Sports Center to host St. Norbert College on Tuesday (Dec. 20).
|
18th-Ranked Falcons Top Titans With Second-Half Surge
  UW-River Falls shot 75 percent (18-24) from the field in the second half to record a 71-44 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team on Saturday (Dec. 10) in Kolf Sports Center. The Falcons (8-0/2-0 WIAC) entered the contest ranked 18th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.
The Falcons made just 5-of-23 shots (21.7 percent) in the opening 20 minutes, but still managed to post a 23-16 lead at the break. Maranda Dohrn had three baskets as UW-River Falls came out of halftime with an 11-2 scoring run. The Falcons extended their margin to double digits and cruised the rest of the way.
Dohrn, the WIAC’s top rebounder, grabbed 11 boards to go with her game-high 14 points. The Falcons made 24-of-32 free throws (75 percent) while receiving 10 points apiece from Nikki Guhr and Holly Riesselman. UW-River Falls put on a strong defensive effort with 16 steals, including three by Guhr.
After 13 minutes of action, the squads were tied at 8. The teams shot a combined 6-for-30 (20 percent) from the field to begin the contest. UW-River Falls jumped ahead with seven unanswered points, ending with Brittany Gregorich’s three-point play that made it 17-10.
UW-Oshkosh got consecutive three-point baskets by Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) and Megan Lund (Sr. • Reedsville) to pull within 34-24 at the 14:19 mark of the second half. Wenig then hit a jumper, got fouled and converted the free throw to cut the Titans' deficit to 40-29.
The Falcons tallied 20 of the next 26 points thanks to their hot shooting. Dohrn drilled four straight foul shots, while Guhr converted a pair of lay-ups. UW-River Falls took a 60-35 advantage on two free throws by Riesselman with 4:26 left.
Never finding their rhythm, the Titans finished with 29.4 percent (15-51) accuracy from the field. They also recorded 28.6 percent (2-7) marksmanship behind the three-point arc and 54.5 percent (12-22) success on free throws.
UW-Oshkosh was led by the eight points and four assists of Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee). The Titans also received seven points and three rebounds from Sarah Stecker (So. • Menasha) and five points, six rebounds and three steals from Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells). Lund and Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) contributed five points each.
The Falcons concluded the game shooting 48.9 percent (23-47) from the field, but were just 16.7 percent (1-6) behind the three-point circle. UW-River Falls tops the WIAC in rebounding, and it captured that category by a 42-31 figure.
The Titans have a road game at UW-Platteville next Saturday (Dec. 17). |
Seventh-Ranked Pointers Defeat Titans
  Nationally ranked UW-Stevens Point forced 20 turnovers and allowed 26.4-percent shooting en route to a 56-40 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team on Wednesday (Dec. 7) in Kolf Sports Center.
The Pointers (2-0 WIAC), ranked seventh in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com, have now won all seven of their games by at least 16 points. Their stifling defense held UW-Oshkosh (5-2/0-1 WIAC) to 14-of-53 accuracy from the field, including 20.7 percent (6-29) during the opening half.
UW-Stevens Point never trailed in the contest. The Pointers led 33-30 and then went on a 16-4 scoring run to take a 49-34 advantage with 4:03 remaining. Ashley Averkamp posted seven points during the streak, while Sam Barber counted four.
Barber recorded four steals and totaled all 12 of her points in the second half. Averkamp paced everyone with 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. UW-Stevens Point, which had 10 turnovers, also used nine points and six rebounds from Brooke Allen.
The game saw just 11 total points scored in the first nine minutes. Brooke drained a three-pointer during the opening 20 seconds to put the Pointers ahead for good. The Titans later made it a 7-6 score on Heather Conroy’s (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) jumper with 11:07 left in the first period.
UW-Oshkosh went scoreless for the next five minutes, as the Pointers extended their lead to 15-6. Averkamp knocked down back-to-back shots to get that scoring run going. Helping the Titans creep closer, Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) connected on two long-distance jumpers to make it 19-16 at intermission.
Allen made another three-point shot early in the second half. Following a pair of baskets by Barber, Alyssa Olp swished a three-pointer to give UW-Stevens Point a 30-22 lead with 14:34 on the clock.
Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) topped the Titans with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) tallied nine points and three assists. Paisar also had six points and seven boards for UW-Oshkosh, which earned a win in the rebounding column, 43-35.
UW-Stevens Point nailed 51.6 percent (16-31) of its shots during the second half to finish at 41.4 percent (24-58). The Pointers hit 4-of-18 three-pointers (22.2 percent) and 4-of-7 free throws (57.1 percent). UW-Oshkosh countered with 25 percent (4-16) accuracy beyond the three-point arc and 57.1 percent (8-14) efficiency at the foul line.
The Titans meet another undefeated squad when they host UW-River Falls on Saturday (Dec. 10) in Kolf Sports Center.
|
Titans Suffer First Loss Of Season
  Lindsey Brenneman scored 16 points and made the game-clinching free throws as Wheaton College (Ill.) gained a 61-58 win over the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team on Saturday (Dec. 3) in Kolf Sports Center.
Leading 59-58 in the final minute, the Thunder committed a turnover. UW-Oshkosh (5-1) then had a chance to go ahead but also turned the ball over. Brenneman was fouled with two seconds remaining and knocked down the foul shots to clinch Wheaton College’s third straight win over the Titans.
The second half featured 13 lead changes in a span of nine minutes. The Titans were up at the break and held a 36-30 lead at the 18:33 mark. Elisabeth Potts then went on a 7-0 scoring run of her own, nailing three field goals, to give the Thunder (3-3) a 37-36 advantage.
Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) then drained four jump shots, with her second bucket giving UW-Oshkosh a 45-44 advantage with 9:26 left. The lead exchanged hands four more times before Wheaton College went in front for good at 50-49 with 7:38 to play.
Maris Hovee posted a lay-up to stretch the Thunder’s margin to 57-52. It was Hovee’s only field goal, but she contributed nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Lauren Graham paced Wheaton College with 20 points, while Brenneman tacked on 16 points and Potts nine rebounds.
UW-Oshkosh started the contest hitting 11 of its first 13 shots from the field. The Titans went on a 12-1 scoring run, highlighted by deep jumpers from Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) and Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis), to take a 28-14 lead midway through the opening half.
Brenneman kept Wheaton College in the game by scoring nine points in the last eight minutes of the first period. The Titans saw their lead shrink to single digits, as they turned the ball over three times in four possessions. Graham sank a hoop with 29 seconds left on the clock to trim the Wheaton College deficit to 34-26 at intermission.
Kitzke scored 17 points and Myklebust 13 to lead UW-Oshkosh. Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) contributed eight points and six rebounds and Paisar eight points and five rebounds for the Titans.
UW-Oshkosh finished the game shooting 44.7 percent (21-47) from the field. The Titans, who captured the rebounding battle, 34-29, shot 38.5 percent (5-13) behind the three-point line and 64.7 percent (11-17) from the free-throw stripe.
Wheaton College benefitted from the Titans’ 17 turnovers, while committing just nine of its own. The Thunder struggled at the foul line with 52.6-percent (10-19) accuracy, but they succeeded on 44.2 percent (23-52) of their field-goal and 33.3 percent (5-15) of their three-point attempts.
UW-Oshkosh begins conference play by hosting undefeated UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday (Dec. 7) in Kolf Sports Center.
|
Titans Clamp Down on Duhawks
  UW-Oshkosh held its sixth straight opponent below 36-percent shooting to record a 67-57 victory over the Loras College (Iowa) women’s basketball team on Saturday (Nov. 26) in Kolf Sports Center.
The Titans are now 5-0, with all their wins coming by at least nine points. UW-Oshkosh held the Duhawks (3-2) to 16-of-48 accuracy from the field for 33 percent. After leading 28-24 at halftime, the Titans marked the first 10 points of the second period to pull away for good.
Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) buried a three-pointer just 19 seconds into the final half to take a 31-24 advantage. Following a pair of Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) free throws, Kitzke again connected from downtown – while getting fouled. The four-point play made it 37-24, and UW-Oshkosh was up by nine-plus points the rest of the way.
The Titans achieved their largest margin after Wenig tallied four points and Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) booked a lay-up for a 54-34 cushion with 8:11 left. Loras College later pulled within 62-53 after four different players contributed during a 9-0 scoring spurt.
UW-Oshkosh took control in the first eight minutes of play, as Myklebust swished three jump shots for a 10-7 lead. Kitzke finished off a three-point play to make it 15-7 with 12:20 on the first-half clock.
Melissa Herrmann posted seven quick points as the Duhawks clawed back. She knocked down three foul shots and two lay-ups to put Loras ahead, 21-19. Kitzke then responded with a hoop in the lane and a jumper to put UW-Oshkosh up for good.
Kitzke topped all players with 19 points and three steals, while Wenig notched 17 points and four assists. UW-Oshkosh also benefitted from 12 points and three rebounds by Myklebust.
The Titans continued their strong free-throw accuracy by sinking 24-of-28 attempts (86 percent). They compiled 44 percent shooting overall (20-45), including 3-of-10 accuracy behind the arc (30 percent). UW-Oshkosh committed 15 turnovers to the Duhawks’ total of 17.
Loras College prevailed in the rebounding category, 30-29. The visitors also took advantage of the foul line with 88-percent efficiency (22-25). Lindsey LaBadie paced her squad with totals of 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. The Duhawks connected on three of their 13 tries from long range (23 percent).
UW-Oshkosh welcomes Wheaton College (Ill.) to Kolf Sports Center on Saturday (Dec. 3).
|
Titans Shoot Down Red Hawks
  Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) hit 10 free throws and tallied a career-high 22 points in UW-Oshkosh’s 71-55 victory over the Ripon College women’s basketball team on Tuesday (Nov. 22) in Ripon.
The Titans opened the season 4-0 for the first time since 2004. Wenig added five assists for UW-Oshkosh, which hit 53 percent (19-36) of its field goals and 50 percent of its three-point tries (8-16). Kate Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) tacked on 19 points for the Titans.
Leading the entire game, UW-Oshkosh opened the night with a deep jumper from Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells). Wenig and Ripon College’s (0-3) Erin Lind then traded three-pointers to make it 8-7.
The Red Hawks would pull within 10-9 before the Titans took over. UW-Oshkosh marked 14 of the next 16 points, forcing Ripon to miss five straight shots. Kitzke, Wenig and Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) each made two foul shots to give their squad a 24-11 lead at the 6:42 mark.
The Titans booked the final eight points of the half and held Ripon scoreless for 4:44. Kitzke connected on a two-point jumper and a three-point attempt. Wenig then drained three at the charity stripe for a 34-14 halftime cushion.
With the margin in double digits for the last 27:06, the Red Hawks got as close as 58-48 with 4:48 remaining. That score came after Lind drilled consecutive jumpers and Sia Gonyo buried a three-pointer.
UW-Oshkosh clinched the contest with free throws, where they finished 25-of-30 for 83 percent accuracy. The Titans dominated the rebounding battle (36-21) while receiving seven points, seven rebounds and two steals from Conroy.
The charity stripe hurt Ripon, as it sank just 12-of-26 opportunities (46 percent). The Red Hawks also compiled 36 percent (20-56) shooting, including 25 percent behind the arc (3-12). Lind paced the team with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Gonyo totaled 10 points and Brittany Johnson three steals.
The Titans have their home opener against Loras College (Iowa) on Saturday (Nov. 26).
|
Titans Maul Lions
  UW-Oshkosh scored the first 17 points of the game and rolled to a 68-49 victory over the Finlandia University (Mich.) women’s basketball team on Saturday (Nov. 19) in Stevens Point.
The Titans (3-0) did not allow a score until 6:16 into play. Meanwhile, six different players got in the UW-Oshkosh box score. Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) finished off a three-point play to make it 7-0. A few plays later, Sarah Stecker (So. • Menasha) buried a lay-up and jump shot to make it 15-0 with 14:37 on the clock.
A trio of mid-range buckets stretched the margin to 26-5 midway through the opening half. UW-Oshkosh then swished five free throws and got a Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) three-pointer to lead at the break, 36-9.
After shooting 4-for-25 in the first period, Finlandia (0-3) booked 44 percent accuracy during the second. The Lions’ big spurt featured 12 unanswered points to pull within 54-31. Megan Turunen capped the streak with consecutive triples at the 10:10 mark.
Marissa Burke added some positives for Finlandia by tallying a steal, two lay-ups and two hoops behind the arc during the last four minutes. Her fast-break score with 41 seconds remaining brought the deficit under 19 points. Burke finished with a team-high 13 points, in addition to eight rebounds.
Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) paced all players with 16 points. The Titans also received 10 points and four assists from Wenig. UW-Oshkosh, which shot 45 percent overall, got a productive nine points, six rebounds and six steals by Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells). The victors also totaled 2-of-6 long-range shooting (33 percent) and 20-of-27 free throw accuracy (74 percent).
Finlandia compiled 32 percent shooting from the field, including 35 percent (8-23) from three-point range. The Lions also made three of their five foul shots (60 percent). Shaikiera Armstrong recorded a double-double with her 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Titans, who are 3-0 for the second straight year, won the turnover battle by a 15-20 margin and the rebounding category by a 42-30 figure.
The weekend games with Alverno College and Finlandia University were part of the UW-Stevens Point Tip-Off Classic. Both Kitzke and Wenig were named to the All-Tournament Team.
UW-Oshkosh concludes its four-game road trip at Ripon College on Tuesday (Nov. 22). |
Titans Extinguish Inferno
Titans Sink Vikings In Season Opener
  UW-Oshkosh shot 67 percent (16-24) in the second half to pull away for a 65-56 women’s basketball victory over Lawrence University on Tuesday (Nov. 15) in Appleton. The contest was the season opener for both squads.
Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) led the Titans with 18 points, eight assists and three steals. Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) was next in line with 16 points and five assists, while Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) paced the squad with eight rebounds. UW-Oshkosh captured its season opener for the third straight year.
The Vikings dominated the first five minutes, grabbing a 6-0 lead on Presley Neuman’s jumper. Responding with seven unanswered points, the Titans went in front. Wenig hit a mid-range shot before Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) drained a three-pointer to make it 6-5.
Lawrence University increased its margin to 15-9 with a pair of buckets from Alex Deshler. Again, the Titans responded. Their 8-0 scoring run featured back-to-back triples by Kitzke and Megan Lund (Sr. • Reedsville). UW-Oshkosh took the lead for good at 18-17 with 6:15 left in the first half.
The Titans were up, 29-26, at intermission. With the cushion at 49-44, Wenig converted a three-point play. Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) then finished off the string of nine consecutive points with a lay-up. UW-Oshkosh went in front, 58-44, with 3:42 remaining and led by eight-plus points the rest of the way.
Hitting 16-of-19 two-pointers during the closing period, the Titans finished with 51 percent (26-51) accuracy from the field. They made 4-of-17 tries from long range (24 percent) and 9-of-14 attempts (64 percent) at the foul line.
Lawrence University got a strong showing from Deshler, who totaled 12 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and five steals. The home squad was led by the 17 points from Amber Lisowe. Struggling from the field at 34.3 percent (23-67), the Vikings added 31 percent (4-13) accuracy from deep and 60 percent (6-10) effectiveness on free throws.
UW-Oshkosh plays Alverno College on Friday (Nov. 18) in Stevens Point.
|
|