Late Free Throws End Titans' Winning Streak

Calahan Skogman converted a pair of free throws with six seconds remaining as UW-La Crosse pulled out a 66-65 victory over the UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team on Wednesday (Jan. 29) in La Crosse.

UW-Oshkosh (8-10/3-6 WIAC) took a 2-0 lead 19 seconds into play and held the advantage until Skogman earned his game-winning opportunity from the free throw line. The Titans had one last chance to defeat the Eagles (12-7/6-4 WIAC), but Jade Royston's shot from the lane with one second left missed the mark.

UW-Oshkosh led 62-56 before UW-La Crosse scored six straight points to force the first tie of the game with 1:42 remaining. Alex Olson gave the Titans a 64-62 lead, but that advantage lasted only 20 seconds as Skogman made a lay-up with 51 ticks left.

Olson was fouled on the ensuing possession and hit 1-of-2 free throws with 19 seconds remaining to give UW-Oshkosh a 65-64 lead. The Eagles' Lucas Collum grabbed the rebound on Olson's missed second free throw and passed the ball to Skogman who drove the length of the court before being fouled with six seconds left.

UW-Oshkosh jumped out to a 21-12 lead on a Kyle Bolger three-pointer with 9:16 remaining in the opening period. Leading 30-22, the Titans then scored eight straight points to take a 38-22 advantage with 1:49 left. A Collum tip-in with 1:32 remaining made the score 38-24 at intermission.

UW-La Crosse opened the second half with an 11-2 scoring run to cut its deficit to 40-35. The Eagles got as close as 55-53 before the Titans tallied five straight points on two Max Schebel free throws and a Bolger long-range jumper.

Bolger and Olson both scored a career-best 18 points to lead UW-Oshkosh. Bolger drained four three-pointers, while Olson grabbed eight rebounds and tallied three steals.

The Titans also received 11 points, seven assists and three rebounds from Royston and 10 points and three rebounds from Schebel.

UW-Oshkosh, which had its three-game winning streak snapped, shot 42.6 percent (23-54) from the field and 83.3 percent (10-12) from the foul line. The Titans made 9-of-20 three-pointers (45 percent) while totaling 27 rebounds and just eight turnovers.

Collum scored a career-high 22 points and collected nine rebounds to lead UW-La Crosse. The Eagles also obtained 20 points and six rebounds from Calahan and nine points, eight rebounds and four assists from Connor De Bruin.

UW-La Crosse shot 44.6 percent (25-56) from the field, 32 percent (8-25) behind the three-point arc and 88.9 percent (8-9) from the free throw line. The Eagles compiled 38 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

UW-Oshkosh celebrates "Alumni Day" when it hosts UW-River Falls on Saturday (Feb. 1) in Kolf Sports Center.