Yellowjackets Repel Titans’ Three-Point Barrage

UW-Oshkosh made school-record 16 three-pointers during its 76-73 overtime loss at UW-Superior on Saturday (Feb. 2).

The Yellowjackets (9-13/5-8 WIAC) surrendered a 10-point halftime lead, but used four points apiece from Brendan Bauer and Jarrod Peterson in overtime to prevail. Austin Cahill tallied 19 points for UW-Superior, while Bronson Byrne owned the paint with 17 points and nine rebounds.

Cory Nickel (Jr. • Waupun) buried 10 shots from behind the arc in scoring 33 points. It was the second time this season that Nickel made 10 three-pointers. He currently leads the NCAA Division III with 79. Another five triples came from Dylan Wurtz (Jr. • Kimberly), who marked 17 points.

UW-Superior came out on top thanks to a 43-29 rebounding advantage and a +12 margin in free throws made.

The contest was tied at 55 with 5:24 left in the second half. Peterson then connected on a long-range jumper. Down by three with 55 seconds left, Nickel swished a three-ball to even the score. UW-Oshkosh (6-15/1-11 WIAC) missed a lay-up with nine seconds on the clock to force overtime.

The Titans' only lead in the extra session was a 69-68 margin after Nickel's triple with 3:12 remaining. Bauer and Peterson each converted two foul shots during the last two minutes. UW-Oshkosh tried a pair of deep jumpers in the closing seconds, but neither one would fall.

Peterson compiled 16 points and eight boards for UW-Superior, to go with 12 points and nine rebounds from Trent Davis. The Yellowjackets shot 46 percent (26-56) from the field, 50 percent (7-14) from downtown and 68 percent at the charity stripe (17-25).

UW-Oshkosh countered with 43 percent (26-60) overall shooting and 5-of-10 accuracy on free throws (50 percent). The Titans tried 36 three-pointers with 44 percent success.

The first 14 minutes of the game were tight, as neither team led by more than four points. Nickel canned four treys in the opening 9:15 to give the Titans a 19-15 cushion.

Cahill tallied 11 quick points to put UW-Superior ahead, 33-25. The Yellowjackets took a 37-27 advantage, their largest of the day, to halftime.

Wurtz cut into that deficit with three triples early in the second period. He then sank a mid-range jumper to put UW-Oshkosh on top, 42-41, with 14:08 on the clock. UW-Superior scored the next six points, including a three-point play by Walter Charlton, to make it 47-42.

Nickel kept launching from downtown, making one shot that tied the game at 50 and another that gave the Titans a 53-52 lead with 6:51 to play in the second half.

Sean Wise (Sr. • Wautoma) contributed a solid stat line with seven points, seven assists and six rebounds.

UW-Oshkosh travels to #5 UW-Stevens Point (18-4) on Wednesday (Feb. 6).