Second-Half Run Allows Titans To Pull Away From Blue Devils

T.J. Kellner (So. • Sheboygan) tallied career-bests of 19 points and eight rebounds as UW-Oshkosh posted its best shooting day of the season in a 78-63 men's basketball victory over UW-Stout on Saturday (Jan. 15) in Kolf Sports Center.

Hitting 6-of-8 field goals, Kellner propelled the Titans to 51 percent shooting (26-51). UW-Oshkosh (7-8/2-5 WIAC), which snapped a three-game losing streak, marked a 15-3 scoring run during the second half to stretch its three-point lead to 15 points.

Eric Hostetter topped all players with 25 points, and his lay-up with 15:58 remaining made it a 44-41 contest. Paul Wojahn (So. • Oshkosh) came back with the Titans' next five points as they took control. Greg Schrimpf (Jr. • Manitowoc) buried two jumpers from behind the arc to expand the margin to 57-44 with 12:13 left.

The run continued when Brian Washington (So. • Waukesha) put in a lay-up and a dunk midway through the closing period. Jake Polk and Jerrod Buchholtz each sank a three-pointer late, but the closest the Blue Devils (7-8/2-5 WIAC) got was 13 points. John Flanigan (Jr. • Oshkosh) converted three free throws near the end as the Titans made 17-of-21 at the charity stripe (81 percent).

Neither team gained much separation during the first 13 minutes of play. Washington finished off a three-point sequence to tie the score at 8. The Titans then booked three-point shots by Schrimpf and Dylan Wurtz (Fr. • Kimberly) to lead, 18-10, with 10:28 on the clock.

UW-Oshkosh put together a 17-5 scoring spurt to gain momentum before halftime. Kellner dropped in a lay-up, a two-point jumper and a three-point field goal for a 28-17 cushion. Hostetter poured in seven points in the final 1:41 to bring UW-Stout within 39-32 at intermission.

The Blue Devils compiled 42 percent accuracy (22-53) from the field, including 33 percent from three-point land (6-18). UW-Stout also nailed 13-of-20 free throws (65 percent) and committed 13 turnovers.

Four of the Titans' nine three-point baskets (41 percent) came from Schrimpf, who totaled 18 points. UW-Oshkosh also received 11 points and seven rebounds from Flanigan, along with 10 boards by Washington, as it took the rebounding category, 37-27.

The Titans travel to UW-La Crosse on Wednesday (Jan. 19).