12th-Ranked Pointers Snatch Overtime Triumph Over Titans

Nationally ranked UW-Stevens Point took the lead eight seconds into overtime and never let it go during an 87-83 men's basketball victory over UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday (Feb. 8) in Kolf Sports Center. The Pointers (19-4/12-2) entered the game ranked 12th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.

Dan Tillema posted a lay-up and turned it into a three-point play on the first possession of overtime. Two minutes later, Jordan Brezinski muscled in two points to put his team ahead 83-79. The Titans (4-18/0-13) launched five three-pointers in the closing 31 seconds, but none of them found the net.

Brezinski was a force all game, marking 29 points on 13-of-15 shooting. He snatched eight rebounds, as did Tyler Tillema who also booked 19 points and 10 assists. UW-Stevens Point also received 20 points by Dan Tillema while hitting 60 percent (37-62) of its field goals.

UW-Oshkosh fired 38 three-point attempts (32 percent), making a season-high 12. Dylan Wurtz (So. • Kimberly) swished five triples en route to 20 points, as John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh) compiled 19 points and 10 boards for his seventh double-double of the year. The Titans also obtained nine rebounds from Chad Mathwig (Fr. • New Berlin) and five assists from Cory Nickel (So. • Waupun).

The first half belonged to UW-Oshkosh, as it nailed 9-of-15 deep balls and 59 percent of its shots overall. The Titans pulled away from a 14-13 deficit with a Wurtz triple and consecutive long-range bombs by Flanigan and Greg Schrimpf (Sr. • Manitowoc). Three more hoops came from behind the arc during the last 2:34 as the Titans took a 44-38 lead to halftime.

UW-Stevens Point trailed at the break for the first time this season. A trio of players recorded a bucket as the Pointers quickly cut their deficit to 48-47 after four minutes. There would be 14 ties in the contest, including a deadlock at 59 following a Wurtz three-point connection.

Tyler Tillema's long-distance hoop with 10:36 on the clock put the visitors ahead, 65-61. The teams were then within three points for the rest of regulation. UW-Oshkosh missed six straight shots, allowing the Pointers to gain a 74-71 cushion. Brezinski tied the score at 78 with 1:58 to play, and neither team tallied again until the extra session.

The Titans posted a 35-33 edge in rebounds while draining 77 percent (17-22) of their free throws. UW-Oshkosh also turned the ball over nine times and finished with 42-percent marksmanship (27-64) from the field.

The Pointers, who captured the 2010 NCAA Division III Championship, totaled 31 percent accuracy (4-13) behind the arc and 56 percent success (9-16) at the foul line.

UW-Oshkosh makes a road trip to UW-River Falls on Saturday (Feb. 11).