Eagles Upset #15 Titans In Double Overtime

Rachel Atchison came off the bench with a career-high 28 points in UW-La Crosse's 85-80 double-overtime victory against the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team on Wednesday (Jan. 29) in Kolf Sports Center. The Titans entered the game ranked 15th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.

Atchison sank 5-of-9 three-pointers, including several from way beyond the arc. She also hit 7-of-9 free throws while totaling three rebounds and three steals.

The contest featured 80 free throw attempts, including 45 by UW-La Crosse (9-10/3-7 WIAC). The Eagles converted 31 of their tries (69 percent), while the Titans knocked down 28-of-35 shots (80 percent).

UW-Oshkosh (16-2/7-2 WIAC) held a 59-56 lead with 15 seconds left in regulation. Mallory Cramer then swished a triple from the left corner with 2.2 on the clock to force overtime.

During the first overtime, the teams exchanged free throws to create a 62-62 score with 2:16 remaining. Cramer buried a jump shot to put the Eagles on top. Taylor Schmidt responded with a three-pointer to give UW-Oshkosh the lead with 1:08 left.

After Maggie Bishop's lay-in and Marina Kneeland's free throw, the Titans were down two points with 0:03 remaining. Schmidt got fouled and made two free throws to force another overtime with the score tied at 67.

A total of 31 points were scored in the second overtime. Atchison drained a three-ball from NBA range to give UW-La Crosse a 74-71 lead with 2:27 to play. Jenna Anderson then buried eight free throws in the final minute to clinch the victory.

UW-Oshkosh shot 32 percent (22-69) from the field, including 31 percent (8-26) from three-point range. The Titans' two lowest shooting games this season have come against UW-La Crosse, including a 29-percent day on Dec. 11.

The Eagles made 8-of-16 (50 percent) three-pointers on their way to 43 percent (23-53) accuracy overall.

The Titans faced a double-digit deficit for the third straight contest. UW-La Crosse bolted to a 13-2 advantage when Anderson completed a three-point play four minutes into the game.

UW-Oshkosh battled back with a long-range attack. After a Kendell Truttman three-pointer, Alicia Tollefson canned two deep shots in one minute to put the Titans ahead, 23-21. Atchison then scored her team's last 10 points before halftime to give UW-La Crosse a 35-32 lead.

That margin increased to 41-32 when Bishop converted a three-point play with 15:55 remaining. UW-Oshkosh crept closer with free throws before Maggie Novak's triple put the Titans up, 50-48, at the 6:21 mark.

Cramer posted 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals, while Bishop also marked a double-double with 14 rebounds and 10 points.

UW-Oshkosh received 17 points from both Schmidt and Katelyn Kuehl. Schmidt tallied four steals to give her 14 in the last four games. Kuehl hauled in nine rebounds, while Brittany Mirsberger compiled eight points, seven boards and three blocks.

The Titans travel to UW-River Falls on Saturday (Feb. 1).

By Jon Feyen