Titans Put Up Fight Against Eagles

OSHKOSH, Wis.- The UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team was defeated by UW-La Crosse with a final score of 85-75 at the Kolf Sports Center on Wednesday night (Jan. 17).  

The Titans (7-9, 0-5 WIAC) led the Eagles, going 35.3 percent (six-of-17) from three and 68.4 percent (13-of-19) from the line with 33 bench points. The Eagles (9-7, 3-2 WIAC) shot 50 percent (32-of-64) from the field with 52 points in the paint and 10 fast break points.

Michael Metcalf-Grassman (Fr. • Shawano/Waukesha) collected 14 points, shooting five-of-10 from the field, one-of-one from three, and three-of-six from the field. He also recorded a team-leading nine rebounds and four assists. Will Mahoney (Sr. • Appleton) and Carter Thomas (So. • Neenah) both followed with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Jay Dalton (Fr. • Fond du Lac) also registered nine points, going 100 on the night with three made field goals, two made free throws and a made three-pointer. 

Tristan Johanknecht (Fr. • Oshkosh) started the game with a made free throw for the Titans and Austin Derousse put the Eagles on the board with a made layup before Oshkosh responded with two points from Quinn Steckbauer (Sr. • Merrill) and a layup from Metcalf-Grassman. La Crosse collected a free throw leading to the Titans going on a five point run and gaining a seven point lead. The Eagles eventually closed the gap and gained a one point lead with 13:41 left in the first half. The Titans came back with a six-point break away with points from Thomas, Steckbauer, and Johanknecht and kept a steady lead over the Eagles until a three pointer from La Crosse put them ahead. Thomas tied the game up with a free throw before Sam Grienger made a layup for the Eagles to lead. Johanknecht responded with a layup to tie the game 31-31 with 3:40 left in the first. The Titans trailed La Crosse by as much as five points and ended the first half with a three point deficit.

In the second half, La Crosse owned as much as a 12 point lead over the Titans, but Oshkosh fought hard and decreased the deficit as small as three points. La Crosse gained nine points for a 59-48 lead until Steckbauer and Seckar responded with three pointers to lessen the lead to only four points. The teams continued to exchange points, but the Eagles kept their lead of at least 10 points over the Titans, who were unable to come back from the deficit.

The Titans are set to return on the road at UW-Stevens Point on Saturday (Jan. 20) for a 5 p.m. tipoff.

Written by Emily Buffington, UW-Oshkosh Sports Information