Blugolds Rally Late To Down Titans

Nick Craggs made 11-of-12 shots for 26 points as UW-Eau Claire topped the UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team, 79-67, on Wednesday (Jan. 11) in Eau Claire.

Craggs, who was shooting 41 percent for the season, made his final nine field goals of the contest. The Blugolds (10-5/3-4 WIAC) were efficient across the board, making 52 percent (28-54) from the field, 50 percent (9-18) from three-point range and 88 percent (14-16) at the foul line.

UW-Oshkosh (4-11/0-6 WIAC) held a 60-58 lead after Mario Johnson's (Jr. • Milwaukee) three-pointer with 5:14 remaining. Jordan Petersen then lifted the Blugolds with back-to-back triples to go ahead, 71-63. UW-Eau Claire outscored the Titans, 16-4, during the final 3:32.

John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh) counted 16 points for UW-Oshkosh, which also received 11 points from Greg Schrimpf (Sr. • Manitowoc) and nine rebounds from Chad Mathwig (Fr. • New Berlin). Johnson chipped in with eight points and five assists. The Titans finished with 40 percent (23-58) shooting, but they nailed 10-of-21 three-pointers (48 percent) and 11-of-13 free throws (85 percent).

UW-Eau Claire compiled an 11-10 advantage after the first five minutes of play. The Blugolds then marked six baskets by six different players, using a Craggs bucket to lead 24-23 with 6:43 on the clock. Craggs made three more hoops in the last 1:38 to gain a 38-30 halftime cushion.

The Titans repeatedly got to the charity stripe as they hung around in the second half. A long-range jumper by Dylan Wurtz (So. • Kimberly) cut the deficit to 45-39 at the 16:08 mark. UW-Oshkosh used six more free throws to pull within 52-47 with 9:14 to go.

Schrimpf buried consecutive three-balls to begin an 11-2 comeback run. Making an inside shot with 6:14 left, Schrimpf pulled the Titans to a 58-57 deficit. Johnson later converted his three-pointer for the lead after UW-Oshkosh grabbed two offensive rebounds.

Craggs also paced the Blugolds with six boards, while Peterson totaled 17 points. Nick Bartlett added 11 points for UW-Eau Claire, which committed just six turnovers.

The Titans were able to hang in the game thanks to a 14-6 edge in offensive rebounds. They got five boards from Flanigan to post an overall margin of 35-28.

UW-Oshkosh takes on UW-Stout this Saturday (Jan. 14) in Menomonie.