Olson Leads Titans Past Crusaders

Alex Olson scored a career-high 18 points and grabbed five rebounds during UW-Oshkosh's 70-57 victory over the Maranatha Baptist University men's basketball team on Saturday (Jan. 25) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans (8-9), who won for the fourth time in five games, took the lead in the third minute of play and held it for the remainder of the contest.

Max Schebel had a strong game for UW-Oshkosh with eight points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Fellow freshman Kyle Bolger contributed 11 points.

Maranatha Baptist University (5-11) made its first two shots of the game to go ahead, 4-0. The Titans roared back with 10 straight points, as Dylan Wurtz drained a three-pointer and Schebel had a breakaway dunk to move in front. Jake Laihinen followed with a put back to make it 10-4.

The Crusaders, who average 73 points per game, chipped away with deep jumpers by Brady Moses and David Wenthold. Andrew McKinney added a lay-up with 5:27 on the clock to pull Maranatha Baptist University within 22-21.

Assisted by a lay-up and a three-pointer from Jade Royston, UW-Oshkosh scored eight straight points to increase its lead to 30-21. The Titans carried a 31-24 advantage to halftime.

UW-Oshkosh recorded a season-high 14 steals on the afternoon. Early in the second period, Olson and Schebel converted baskets off turnovers to increase the Titans' lead to 39-26.

Trailing 53-41, Maranatha Baptist University scored eight unanswered points in just 1:21. Wenthold swished a long jumper before Tanner Moses finished a three-point play to pull the Crusaders to 53-49 with 7:55 remaining.

Olson regained UW-Oshkosh's momentum with 6:07 on the clock. He stole the ball, drove the length of the court and hit a lay-up while getting fouled. The ensuing free throw put the Titans up, 59-49.

UW-Oshkosh totaled 45 percent (26-58) shooting from the field, 32 percent (9-28) from three-point range and 56 percent at the foul line (9-16). The Titans committed only nine turnovers while totaling 32 rebounds.

The Crusaders received 22 points and five assists from Tanner Moses, along with 12 points by Brady Moses. Maranatha Baptist University shot 47 percent (23-49) from the field, including 50 percent (7-14) behind the arc. The Crusaders made 4-of-6 free throws (67 percent) while compiling 30 rebounds and 17 turnovers.

This was the first meeting between the two schools.

UW-Oshkosh travels to UW-La Crosse on Wednesday (Jan. 29).

By Jon Feyen