Titans Troubled By Eagles' Three-Point Shooting

Seven players dialed in from long distance as UW-La Crosse made 11-of-16 three-point shots (68.8 percent) during its 72-52 men's basketball victory over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday (Jan. 28) in La Crosse.

UW-La Crosse used six three-point baskets (10 attempts), including two by both Jack Taylor and Luke Tweed, to take a 42-31 lead to intermission. The Eagles made five three-point shots (six attempts), including two by Derek Braucht, to outscore the Titans, 30-21, in the second half.

Tweed scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead UW-La Crosse (13-6/5-5 WIAC) in both categories. The Eagles also received 12 points from Taylor, 10 points and three rebounds from Al Chery and eight points and three rebounds from Braucht.

UW-Oshkosh (4-15/0-1 WIAC) was paced by the 11 points, five rebounds and two assists of Jade Royston (So. • Wisconsin Dells). The Titans also collected 11 points and three rebounds from John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh), eight points and four rebounds from Cory Nickel (So. • Waupun) and eight points from Greg Schrimpf (Sr. • Manitowoc).

The Titans were strong during the first four minutes of play. Flanigan buried a three-point shot on the opening possession and Dylan Wurtz (So. • Kimberly) sank a lay-up to give UW-Oshkosh a 7-2 lead.

UW-La Crosse then went on a 19-4 scoring run, including two three-point baskets by Tweed and one by Taylor, to take a 21-11 advantage with 12:52 left in the first half. UW-Oshkosh cut its deficit to 29-25, but UW-La Crosse scored the next eight points to take a 37-25 lead with 3:21 remaining before the break.

UW-La Crosse opened the second half with a 17-3 scoring run, including five points by Braucht. The Eagles built a 59-34 lead before the Titans sliced their deficit to 62-44 with 7:21 to go. UW-La Crosse wouldn't let the margin get any closer as Braucht and Johnny Coenen each swished a three-point shot to help the Eagles again pull away.

UW-Oshkosh was held to 30.9 percent (17-55) shooting from the field, including just 23.5 (4-17) behind the three-point arc. The Titans drained 14 of their 17 free throws (82.4 percent) while grabbing 34 rebounds and committing eight turnovers.

UW-La Crosse used their three-point shooting to mark 50 percent (28-56) accuracy from the field. The Eagles recorded 38 rebounds, committed just seven turnovers while shooting only 41.7 percent (5-12) from the free-throw line.

UW-Oshkosh has a contest with UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday (Feb. 1) in Kolf Sports Center.