Falcons Top Titans In Wisconsin Dells Battle

Mitchell Schneider made five free throws in the final five minutes to clinch Concordia University Wisconsin's 76-72 victory over the UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team on Thursday (Dec. 29) in Wisconsin Dells. It was the first collegiate contest held at the JustAgame Fieldhouse.

Trailing 68-67 with 5:57 remaining, Schneider drained two foul shots to put the Falcons ahead. The teams then exchanged lay-ups to make it a 73-70 score with one minute left. UW-Oshkosh (4-7) had two attempts to tie the game, but it missed a three-pointer and turned the ball over. Concordia University Wisconsin (8-3) then used three free throws by Schneider to take the first meeting between these schools since the 1996-97 season.

Schneider and Luke Doedens each scored 16 points to pace Concordia University Wisconsin, while Matt Paluchniak tallied 12 points and three assists. Doedens also contributed seven rebounds, four steals and two assists. The Falcons received 11 points from David Lopez and nine points and nine rebounds from Erik Condia.

The first half was a tight affair, with UW-Oshkosh holding an 8-6 lead after six minutes of play. The Titans then relied on their long-range shooting, getting two three-point baskets by Cory Nickel (So. • Waupun) to tie the score at 16. Lopez then scored five consecutive points midway through the period to give Concordia University Wisconsin a 24-22 lead.

A pair of three-pointers from Dylan Wurtz (So. • Kimberly) regained a 31-30 advantage for the Titans. However, the final 4:30 of the first half belonged to Concordia University Wisconsin as it registered a 15-3 scoring run. Doedens and Schneider each booked five points during the streak that gave the Falcons a 45-34 advantage at intermission.

Concordia University Wisconsin extended its lead to 50-36 with 18:42 to play. UW-Oshkosh then outscored the Falcons, 30-11, over the next 11 minutes. Wurtz got things going with two three-point baskets, and hometown hero Jade Royston (So. • Wisconsin Dells) swished a three-point attempt of his own. John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh) posted 10 points during the scoring run, including a bucket that gave the Titans a 68-63 lead with 6:40 left.

Flanigan scored 25 points, as he eclipsed 16 for the 12th straight game. He also added five rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Titans also received 13 points and seven rebounds from Wurtz, 11 points from Royston and eight points and seven rebounds from Chad Mathwig (Fr. • New Berlin). Mario Johnson (Jr. • Milwaukee) had a game-high four assists.

UW-Oshkosh shot 40 percent (24-60) from the field and 68.2 percent (15-22) from the free-throw line. The Titans made 9-of-23 three-point shots for 39.1 percent accuracy.

Concordia University Wisconsin shot 46.7 percent (28-60) from the field and 76.5 percent (13-17) from the charity stripe. The Falcons converted on 29.2 percent (7-24) of their three-point shots.

Concordia University Wisconsin had 13 turnovers and UW-Oshkosh 16. The Titans won the rebounding battle, 38-34.

The Titans have a contest against Carroll University on Saturday (Dec. 31) in Kolf Sports Center.