Titans Shut Down Pioneers In WIAC Opener
UW-Oshkosh opened both halves with a bang during its 76-49 win over the UW-Platteville women's basketball team on Wednesday (Dec. 4) in Kolf Sports Center.
The Titans (7-0/1-0 WIAC) started the game with a 9-0 scoring run and the second period with a 12-2 streak. The Pioneers (4-4/0-1 WIAC) were averaging 77 points per game, but shot just 33 percent (17-52) from the field. UW-Oshkosh held the conference's leading scorer, Alyssa Krajco, to only four points.
Ashley Neustifter turned in the best came of her young career with 14 points and eight assists. During the first half, she set up her teammates for six baskets. Then in the second period, Neustifter tallied all 14 of her points, including a pair of connections from beyond the arc.
Sarah Stecker notched her second straight double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Katelyn Kuehl contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists. UW-Oshkosh totaled 23 assists and 11 turnovers.
The Titans put on an offensive clinic during the opening two minutes. UW-Oshkosh scored three lay-ups off three perfect passes. Taylor Schmidt set up Stecker, who sank the bucket and finished a three-point play to put the Titans ahead, 7-0.
UW-Platteville crept closer with a three-pointer from Stacy Clark and a jumper by Taylor Lorbiecki to make it 12-7. The Pioneers would trail by at least seven points for the rest of the contest after Kuehl made a put-back at the 15:22 mark.
With 4:04 left in the half, Neustifter fired a cross-court pass to Kendell Truttman. Truttman buried a three-pointer to put the Titans up 32-17. UW-Oshkosh took a 37-27 lead to intermission after a late jumper from Schmidt.
Neustifter started the second stanza with a driving lay-up. She then had two assists during the Titans' 12-2 run, with both leading to three-point plays by Kuehl and Stecker. Kuehl's foul shot two minutes into the half gave UW-Oshkosh a 49-29 advantage.
The Pioneers couldn't solve the Titan defense, as they shot 19 percent (5-26) during the second half. Keeley Schulz counted two free throws to pull her team within 49-35.
Maggie Novak played just six minutes, but during that time she knocked down a pair of three-pointers to make it a 57-39 score. Neustifter also got hot, splashing two triples in the final eight minutes.
UW-Oshkosh shot 48 percent (29-60) from the field, including 30 percent (6-20) from downtown. The Titans nailed 12-of-17 free throws (71 percent) while winning the rebounding battle, 38-31.
Clark topped UW-Platteville with 13 points and nine rebounds. Rachel Cropp added 12 points for the Pioneers, who sank just 1-of-14 three-point tries (7 percent). UW-Platteville made 14-of-15 free throws (93 percent) and committed 14 turnovers.
The Titans travel to UW-Superior on Saturday (Dec. 7).
By Jon Feyen