Titans Dial In From Long Distance To Rout Pioneers

UW-Oshkosh set a school record with 14 three-pointers during its 95-34 women's basketball win over Northland International University on Monday (Nov. 18) in Kolf Sports Center.

The 61-point margin represents the largest victory in program history. The Titans (3-0) were on fire all night, making seven three-pointers and shooting 57 percent in each half.

Freshmen accounted for 10 three-pointers, including six from Maggie Novak and three by Taylor Schmidt. Novak scored a game-high 18 points, while Schmidt tallied 16 points, eight assists and two steals.

The Titans jumped to a 9-2 lead after three minutes of play, but the Pioneers (1-3) rallied to take the lead. Northland International University scored eight straight points, going ahead 10-9 on a lay-up from Liz Humburg.

UW-Oshkosh then marked 13 unanswered points, using three-pointers by Novak and Morgan Kokta. At the 8:57 mark, Alicia Tollefson made a great pass to Alissa Schuh, who buried a jumper to give the Titans a 23-10 lead.

Tollefson and Novak nailed consecutive deep jumpers to make it a 39-14 advantage. The Titans counted the final nine points of the period, with Kokta's bucket giving her team a 55-17 cushion at the break.

The Titans were outstanding at sharing the ball. UW-Oshkosh totaled 29 assists – its most in more than 10 years. Schmidt assisted on consecutive scores midway through the second half, dishing to Ashley Neustifter and Marissa Selner. Schmidt then made back-to-back three-pointers to give UW-Oshkosh a 79-30 lead with eight minutes to go.

Novak hit from downtown with 6:32 and 3:20 remaining to break the school record, which UW-Oshkosh held with 13 three-pointers in a 2004 contest against Concordia University Wisconsin.

Northland International University was led by 14 points from Kate Matthai and 13 points and six rebounds by Humburg. The Pioneers committed 28 turnovers while shooting 31 percent (13-42) from the field, 39 percent (5-13) from long range and 60 percent (3-5) on free throws.

UW-Oshkosh had all 12 of its players score, with Tollefson and Sarah Stecker each totaling 10 points. Katelyn Kuehl pulled down six rebounds, as Kokta recorded five assists and two steals.

The Titans finished 14-of-26 (54 percent) behind the three-point arc. UW-Oshkosh knocked down 9-of-14 foul shots for a 64-percent rate.

Ripon College will host UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday (Nov. 20).

By Jon Feyen