Fifth-Ranked Warhawks Streak Past Titans

UW-Whitewater opened the second half with a 20-2 scoring run to punctuate its 62-45 victory over the UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team on Wednesday (Jan. 18) in Kolf Sports Center. The Warhawks (16-1/7-1 WIAC) entered the contest ranked fifth by D3hoops.com.

After holding a 30-26 halftime cushion, UW-Whitewater got a three-pointer from Cody Odegaard on its first possession. Luke Knoble then sandwiched two baskets around a dunk by Alex Edmunds. Lucas Burns knocked down two more deep jumpers as the Warhawks stretched their advantage to 50-28 with 11:37 remaining.

John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh) posted two lay-ups and Dylan Wurtz (So. • Kimberly) drained a triple to get UW-Oshkosh within 54-38. Wurtz then counted two more hoops in the closing minutes to finish with 11 points. Flanigan added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Titans (4-13/0-8 WIAC), who also received eight points from Cory Nickel (So. • Waupun).

UW-Whitewater had five players reach double-digits, led by 14 points and 10 boards from Edmunds. Eric Bryson had a stellar all-around game with 10 points, seven assists and three steals. Knoble marked 12 points and Burns 10 points for the Warhawks, who committed just seven turnovers.

The visiting Warhawks held the Titans scoreless for the opening 7:26. While UW-Oshkosh missed nine straight shots, UW-Whitewater got a lay-in from four different players to make it 8-0. Nickel and Martell Hutchinson (Jr. • Milwaukee) then drained consecutive three-pointers from the same spot to battle back.

Flanigan sank an inside attempt as the Titans booked eight of the game's next 10 points to reach a 14-13 deficit. Odegaard and Bryson then connected from downtown to stretch the margin to seven points (22-15). Hutchinson later gave UW-Oshkosh a highlight when he chased down Quardell Young and stuffed his breakaway dunk attempt.

The Warhawks, who rank second in the nation in shooting (52 percent), hit 26-of-53 overall for 49 percent accuracy. They added 7-of-15 conversions (47 percent) from three-point range and 3-of-5 free throws (60 percent) to capture their eighth straight contest.

Despite slow starts to each half, UW-Oshkosh totaled 40 percent (17-43) shooting from the field, 31 percent (4-13) from long range and 78 percent (7-9) at the foul line. The Titans had 15 turnovers on the night.

UW-Oshkosh travels to UW-Platteville next Wednesday (Jan. 25).