Titans Drop Road Contest To Yellowjackets

Brendan Bauer made all six of his shots for a game-high 16 points during UW-Superior's 64-51 men's basketball decision over UW-Oshkosh on Saturday (Feb. 4) in Superior.

The Yellowjackets (13-9/7-6 WIAC) remained in fourth place and improved their chances of reaching the league tournament. Dustin Ritchie paced the squad with 11 rebounds, to go with 13 points from Bronson Byrne and 10 points from Ben Aalfs.

UW-Oshkosh (4-17/0-12 WIAC) struggled with 30 percent (18-60) shooting from the field. The Titans were making a nation-best 82 percent of their free throws, but they converted just 7-of-12 for 58 percent. Greg Schrimpf (Sr. • Manitowoc) led the visitors with 13 points, while Jade Royston (So. • Wisconsin Dells) tallied 11 points and Sean Wise (Jr. • Wautoma) seven points and six boards.

Cory Nickel (So. • Waupun) drained two three-pointers in the opening seven minutes to tie the score at 10. UW-Superior then came back with two Bauer lay-ups to take an 18-12 lead.

The Titans, playing without leading scorer and rebounder John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh), pulled within 20-19 on a Marcus Ray (Sr. • Winneconne) basket. Byrne was quite active in the final 2:30 of the half, posting a lay-up, offensive rebound and free throw to give the Yellowjackets a 27-22 cushion.

Schrimpf knocked down a trio of triples during the second period as UW-Oshkosh rallied to take a 34-32 lead. Adam Hjelter ended that momentum with a deep jumper and UW-Superior marked a 10-1 scoring run. Jarrod Peterson connected from mid-range to put the home squad ahead, 42-35, with 11:28 to play.

After Wise sank a bucket to make UW-Oshkosh's deficit 42-40, Byrne converted three straight free throws. Bauer swished a three-point shot and the Yellowjackets stretched their advantage to 50-42 at the 5:22 mark. UW-Superior thrived the last four minutes by going 10-for-10 at the foul line.

The Yellowjackets totaled 18-of-24 accuracy (75 percent) at the charity stripe, to go with 48 percent marksmanship (21-44) from the field and 33 percent (4-12) success from downtown.

Owning a 7-0 advantage in steals, UW-Oshkosh also grabbed 18 offensive rebounds. The Titans connected on eight of their 19 three-point attempts (42 percent) while turning the ball over 10 times.

UW-Oshkosh meets up with nationally ranked UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday (Feb. 8) in Kolf Sports Center.