Titans Deliver Final Blow In Overtime Battle With Pointers
Sarah Stecker scored a career-high 26 points and put UW-Oshkosh ahead for good in a 75-68 overtime triumph against the UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team on Wednesday (Jan. 15) in Kolf Sports Center.
The Titans, ranked 19th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com, improved their record to 14-1 (5-1 WIAC). The 23rd-ranked Pointers fell to 11-4 (4-2 WIAC).
The intense contest featured nine ties and 16 lead changes. UW-Oshkosh trailed, 62-58, with 36 seconds left in regulation. Taylor Schmidt then penetrated and dished to Stecker, who sank the lay-up while getting fouled. Stecker added the free throw to pull the Titans within one.
Heavy defensive pressure allowed Schmidt to steal the ball and call timeout on the floor with 26 seconds remaining. Katelyn Kuehl followed by making 1-of-2 free throws to send the game to overtime tied at 62.
On UW-Oshkosh's first possession of overtime, Ashley Neustifter found Stecker in the lane for another lay-up to give the Titans a 64-62 lead. The momentum peaked on the next trip, when Morgan Kokta's three-pointer bounced on the rim three times before falling to make it 67-62 with 3:49 left.
The Titans made 8-of-12 free throws to seal the game. Meanwhile, UW-Stevens Point missed all five attempts at the charity stripe during the extra session.
Stecker grabbed nine rebounds while finishing 8-for-9 on free throws. Schmidt filled up the box score with 12 points, five rebounds and five steals. UW-Oshkosh also gained seven points and seven rebounds from Kuehl and seven points with six rebounds from Kokta.
During the opening seven minutes, the Titans struggled with seven turnovers and 1-for-9 shooting. Autumn Hennes drilled a pair of three-pointers, giving UW-Stevens Point a 14-7 lead midway through the first half.
UW-Oshkosh continued to play tight defense and went on a scoring binge right before intermission. Maggie Novak swished a three-ball to pull the Titans within 28-24. Stecker added an inside hoop, helping cut the deficit to 29-26 at halftime.
Schmidt had an explosive 15-second sequence during the second period. First, she drained a triple from the left wing. Moments later, Schmidt stole the ball and went the distance for a lay-up that gave the Titans a 37-36 lead.
A Stecker basket increased UW-Oshkosh's lead to 52-48 with 6:44 remaining, but the Pointers rallied back. Jenna Pitt sank four free throws before Lauren Anklam made a lay-in that provided UW-Stevens Point with a 56-52 advantage at the 4:20 mark.
During the final 4:04 of regulation, Stecker tallied nine points on three buckets and three free throws.
UW-Oshkosh finished with 39 percent (25-65) shooting from the field, including 23 percent (5-22) from long range, and 69 percent accuracy (20-29) at the foul line. Against the top rebounding team in the WIAC, the Titans came away with a 48-37 win on the boards.
The Pointers were led by 13 points from both Hennes and Alyssa Olp. Myranda Tyler posted 10 rebounds, nine points and five steals for UW-Stevens Point, which hit 42 percent (25-59) from the field, 67 percent (4-6) behind the arc and just 52 percent (14-27) on free throws.
The Titans open a two-game road trip at UW-Stout on Saturday (Jan. 18).
By Jon Feyen
The Titans were supported by an energetic student section.