Titans Outshine Blugolds In WIAC Opener

UW-Oshkosh shot better than 57 percent from the field in each half as it cruised to an 85-57 men's basketball win over UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday (Dec. 2) in Kolf Sports Center. The contest was the WIAC opener for both squads.

UW-Oshkosh (3-3/1-0 WIAC) built a 48-32 halftime lead on 16-of-28 shooting (57.1 percent) from the field. In the second half, the Titans posted a 37-25 scoring advantage on 10-of-17 shooting (58.8 percent) from the field. UW-Oshkosh finished the game shooting 57.8 percent (26-45) from the field, including 42.1 percent (8-19) behind the three-point arc.

UW-Oshkosh, which defeated UW-Eau Claire in Kolf Sports Center for the 17th consecutive game, was led by the 31 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals of D.J. Marsh (Sr. • Bayside). Marsh counted his points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and 12-of-13 accuracy from the free-throw line.

The Titans also received 12 points from Greg Schrimpf (So. • Manitowoc), nine points from Paul Wojahn (Fr. • Oshkosh) and seven points and eight rebounds from Brian Washington (Fr. • Waukesha).

Draining four of its first five field goal attempts, UW-Oshkosh bolted to an 11-3 lead just 2:58 into play. Wojahn then swished a three-point shot with 13:28 left in the half to put the Titans up 16-7.

UW-Eau Claire (4-2/0-1 WIAC) fought back with a 12-4 scoring spurt, including three-point baskets by Geoff Probst and Nick Bartlett. The game was tied three times in a span of 1:27, with the final one being at 26 with 6:10 remaining in the period. Sam Mageland (Fr. • Appleton) broke that stalemate with a three-point basket, and the Titans led the rest of the way.

UW-Oshkosh ended the first half with a 22-6 scoring run, including 10 points by Marsh, to take a 48-32 lead to intermission. Marsh tallied 20 points in the opening half, including nine on free throws.

In the second half, Schrimpf converted three free throws to give the Titans a 56-35 lead with 16:56 to play. UW-Oshkosh continued to increase its margin, with Marsh finishing off a four-point play to put the Titans ahead 64-39. A three-point shot from Schrimpf put UW-Oshkosh up by 33 points (83-50) with 3:08 remaining.

Amadou Fofana topped UW-Eau Claire in scoring with 15 points. The Blugolds also received 10 points from Probst and eight points, four rebounds and four assists from Marcus Ruh.

UW-Oshkosh compiled a 30-19 rebounding advantage to win that category for the ninth consecutive game. The Titans committed 16 turnovers and the Blugolds 12. UW-Oshkosh made 89.3 percent (25-28) of its free throws.

UW-Eau Claire, which never led in the contest, shot 39.5 percent (17-43) from the field and 66.7 percent (20-30) from the free-throw line. The Blugolds shot 37.5 percent (3-8) behind the three-point arc.

The Titans replace Saturday's (Dec. 5) bye in the WIAC schedule with a road game at Finlandia University (Mich.).