Late First-Half Surge Leads Titans Past Blue Devils

Alex Olson had a season-high 30 points and 10 rebounds and the UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team never trailed during a 94-72 victory over UW-Stout on Saturday (Jan. 31) in Kolf Sports Center.

Olson, who scored 19 points in the first half, made 12 of 18 shots from the floor and 5 of 7 attempts from the free throw line in recording his second double-double of the season. He finished one point and one rebound shy of tying his career bests.

Kyle Bolger added 11 points and four assists for UW-Oshkosh, which had its highest scoring game in the 89 contests since a 105-99 double-overtime loss to UW-River Falls on Dec. 10, 2011. Thirteen Titans registered points, including nine each by Sean Dwyer, AJ Mueller and Charlie Noone. Taylor Jansen chipped in with eight points and both of UW-Oshkosh's blocks.

UW-Oshkosh (12-7, 6-4 WIAC) moved up one spot and into a tie for fourth place in the league standings with UW-River Falls. UW-Stout (3-17, 0-11 WIAC) lost its ninth straight game and 15th consecutive WIAC contest dating back to last season.

The Titans opened the scoring on a layup by Olson 14 seconds into the game and extended their lead to 10-2 before UW-Stout closed to within 14-13 at the 12:39 mark. However, UW-Oshkosh ended the first half with a 30-8 run that included 10 layups and three 3-point baskets. The Titans made six of their last nine shots of the period while the Blue Devils missed 14 of their last 17.

UW-Oshkosh gained its first double-digit advantage after the second of three straight layups by Olson gave the Titans a 24-13 lead midway through the first half. The lead ballooned to 37-17 on another Olson layup with 2:52 left in the period. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Bolger and Noone put UW-Oshkosh up, 47-20, with under a minute remaining, but a free throw by the Blue Devils made the score 47-21 at halftime.

UW-Stout shot 28.1 percent (9-32) from the field in the first half and converted 1 of 3 free throws (33.3 percent) while UW-Oshkosh connected on 53.3 percent (16-30) of its shots from the floor and 64.7 percent (11-17) of its attempts from the foul line.

Olson scored six of the Titans' first eight points of the second period as UW-Oshkosh built its largest lead of 31 points at 55-24 with 17 minutes to play. UW-Stout pulled within 18 points on two occasions, but a 3-pointer by Olson gave UW-Oshkosh an 81-59 lead with five minutes left, and the Titans maintained a lead of at least 20 points the remainder of the game.

UW-Oshkosh ended the game shooting 53.1 percent (34-64) from the field, 37.5 percent (9-24) from behind the 3-point arc and 63 percent (17-27) from the foul line. The Titans held advantages in rebounds (44-36), turnovers (16-19) and steals (13-12).

Jarvis Ragland led UW-Stout with 21 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. The Blue Devils also received 13 points from Jalen Patterson and 10 from Sam Ortmann.

UW-Stout finished the contest shooting 39.7 percent (25-63) from the floor, 25 percent (4-16) from beyond the 3-point line and 62.1 percent (18-29) from the charity stripe.

UW-Oshkosh has won three of the last four in the series, including a 66-60 overtime victory on Jan. 14 in Menomonie.

The Titans take on UW-Platteville on Wednesday (Feb. 4) in Kolf Sports Center.