Scoring Run Allows Titans To Put Eagles Away

UW-Oshkosh scored 15 unanswered points to go ahead for good during its 84-70 victory over the Benedictine University (Ill.) men's basketball team on Tuesday (Dec. 20) in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Eagles (3-7) trailed for the majority of the contest, but they posted a 24-8 scoring run to take a 44-43 lead with 14:37 to play. The Titans (4-5) then scored 15 straight points and held Benedictine University to one field goal during the next 8:25. Greg Schrimpf (Sr. • Manitowoc), who led all players with 19 points, hit two three-pointers during UW-Oshkosh's game-clinching scoring run.

Schrimpf buried another long-range jumper to make it 68-47 with 6:52 left. The Eagles closed to within nine points, 77-68, but three-point plays by Schrimpf and Martell Hutchinson (Jr. • Milwaukee) provided some breathing room for the Titans.

UW-Oshkosh had four other players score in double figures, including John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh) who provided 16 points and 12 rebounds. Cory Nickel (So. • Waupun) followed with 14 points, while Hutchinson and Chad Mathwig (Fr. • New Berlin) each supplied 11. The Titans also received 10 rebounds from Jade Royston (So. • Wisconsin Dells) and six assists from Mario Johnson (Jr. • Milwaukee).

While Benedictine University opened the game shooting 2-of-10 from the field, UW-Oshkosh built a 17-6 lead. Flanigan started things with four free throws, and Nickel tacked on five straight points.

Three-point baskets from Dario Jokic and David Bernard pulled the Eagles to 17-14. The Titans then used Mathwig's lay-up, jumper and two free throws to make it a 35-20 score. UW-Oshkosh took a 38-33 advantage to halftime.

Nate Green was a force for Benedictine University, totaling team-highs of 18 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals. The Eagles also obtained 13 points and four rebounds from Mark Pace.

Benedictine University turned the basketball over only six times, but shot just 39.7 percent (25-63) from the field and 52.9 percent (9-17) from the free-throw line. The Eagles made 11-of-23 (47.8 percent) three-point shots to remain in the game.

UW-Oshkosh, which posted a commanding 47-26 advantage in rebounds, shot 47.4 percent (27-57) from the field and 42.1 percent (8-19) behind the three-point arc. The Titans, who committed 15 turnovers, made 22-of-24 (91.7 percent) free throws.

UW-Oshkosh concludes its trip to Las Vegas with a game against Loras College (Iowa) on Thursday (Dec. 22).