Titans Unable To Capture Eagles

Cory Degner tallied 16 of his 23 points during the second half to give UW-La Crosse a 75-69 men's basketball victory over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday (Jan. 7) in Kolf Sports Center.

With the Eagles holding a 56-54 lead, Degner scored three straight baskets to give his team a 62-56 advantage with 5:21 left to play. Degner's 23 points established a career-high and were seven points better than any other player in the contest.

Following the game-clinching 10-2 scoring run, UW-La Crosse maintained at least a five-point margin for the final 5:21. The Eagles knocked down 11-of-14 free throws to clinch the win. UW-La Crosse (11-3/3-2 WIAC) finished the contest shooting 66.7 percent (14-21) from the free-throw line.

The game included nine ties, and the score was close for the first 13 minutes of action. Following a Dylan Wurtz (So. • Kimberly) three-point basket, Braden Tice drilled two long-range shots of his own to give UW-La Crosse a 10-4 lead. Wurtz tacked on another three-pointer and a free throw to tie the score at 16 with 10:32 on the clock.

Five different Titans scored during a 15-4 run that gained some breathing room. John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh) scored inside to give UW-Oshkosh a 30-22 lead, and Chad Mathwig (Fr. • New Berlin) converted a three-point play to increase the Titans' advantage to 36-24.

UW-Oshkosh led 36-31 at halftime and extended its lead to 41-35 on a Jade Royston (So. • Wisconsin Dells) lay-up. Degner and Logan Ellman then drove for lay-ins, and Lucas Collom added two short jumpers to give UW-La Crosse a 43-41 lead. The contest was eventually tied at 54 before the Eagles pulled away.

Degner's effort included four rebounds and four assists. The Eagles also received 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals from Al Chery and eight points from both Tice and Michael Barrett.

UW-La Crosse committed a season-low seven turnovers while shooting 50 percent (29-58) from the field. The Eagles shot 25 percent (3-12) behind the three-point line.

UW-Oshkosh (4-10./0-5 WIAC) was paced by Flanigan's 16 points, four rebounds and four assists. Royston added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Wurtz contributed 13 points and five rebounds and Mathwig eight points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Titans posted shooting percentages of 52 (26-50) from the field, 45 (9-20) behind the three-point arc and 72.7 (8-11) from the free-throw line. UW-Oshkosh won the rebounding battle, 29-28, and committed 16 turnovers.

UW-Oshkosh has a road contest at UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday (Jan. 11).