Visiting Titans Track Down Eagles

John Flanigan (Jr. • Oshkosh) scored six straight points to break open a tie game as UW-Oshkosh grabbed a 73-62 men's basketball victory over UW-La Crosse on Wednesday (Jan. 19) in La Crosse.

Flanigan marked 26 points, eclipsing the career-high he established one week ago. He also pulled down nine rebounds for the Titans (8-8/3-5 WIAC), who received an additional 16 points from Greg Schrimpf (Jr. • Manitowoc). Flanigan dropped in three consecutive lay-ups before Schrimpf nailed a triple, capping a 9-0 run that put UW-Oshkosh ahead, 57-48, with 7:02 remaining.

T.J. Kellner (So. • Sheboygan) calmly drained six free throws down the stretch to maintain the cushion. Flanigan and Schrimpf each added a pair at the foul line, where UW-Oshkosh finished 21-of-27 (78 percent). The Titans were efficient all over the floor, sinking 50 percent from the field (23-46) and 40 percent from downtown (6-15).

After the score was tied at 5 early, UW-Oshkosh caught fire. Paul Wojahn (So. • Oshkosh) nailed back-to-back jumpers, while Flanigan hit a mid-range hoop of his own to take a 13-6 lead.

The Eagles (8-9/3-5 WIAC) tallied 13 of the next 15 points, including eight by Tony Mane, to grab a 19-15 advantage at the 9:33 mark. Later in the half, Mane counted a lay-up and a jump shot to extend the margin to five points (26-21).

UW-Oshkosh put together a 10-2 scoring run to close the opening period. Flanigan dropped in seven consecutive points to equal the score at 28. Schrimpf and Wojahn each connected from downtown in the final minute to give the Titans a 34-30 lead at the break.

The margin expanded early in the second half as Schrimpf dialed up two conversions from long distance. After a dunk by Brain Washington (So. • Waukesha), Flanigan swished a jumper to make it 46-36 with 14:03 to go.

Lucas Morrissey got two inside hoops as UW-La Crosse made its move. Mane drained a three-pointer to pull within four points, but it was two Al Chery free throws that tied the contest at 48 with 10 minutes remaining.

The Eagles were led by Mane's 20 points and Chery's nine rebounds. Chery totaled 17 points for UW-La Crosse, which shot 41 percent overall (25-61). Despite committing just five turnovers, the Eagles struggled from three-point range (4-15) and at the charity stripe (8-17).

UW-Oshkosh looks for its third straight win when it hosts nationally ranked and defending NCAA Division III champion UW-Stevens Point on Saturday (Jan. 22).