Titans Thoroughly Dominate Blue Devils

Morgan Kokta and Ashley Neustifter both scored career-highs in UW-Oshkosh's 78-50 victory over the UW-Stout women's basketball team on Saturday (Feb. 8) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans (19-2/10-2 WIAC) are ranked 17th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com. They remain second in the league standings – 2.5 games back of UW-Whitewater (13-0) and two games ahead of third-place UW-Stevens Point (8-4).

Neustifter counted team-bests of 16 points, six steals, five assists and five rebounds. Kokta contributed 15 points, while Sarah Stecker totaled 13 points and five boards.

UW-Oshkosh had seven different players score at least six points, as five dished out multiple assists. The Titans posted 19 assists on 28 field goals.

Neustifter and Stecker combined for UW-Oshkosh's first 11 points. Six minutes into the game, Neustifter buried a jump shot to give the Titans an 11-6 lead. That advantage grew to 18-8 when Brittany Mirsberger knocked down a three-pointer moments later.

The Titans went on a 21-4 scoring run midway through the opening half, with many baskets coming off perfect passes. Neustifter found Alex Richard for a lay-up that increased UW-Oshkosh's lead to 30-12 with 5:37 left in the first period.

UW-Oshkosh took a 39-21 lead to intermission. After the break, UW-Stout (7-14/3-9 WIAC) showed some life with Katelynne Folkers and Kyleigh Hebert scoring off turnovers. Hebert's lay-in with 16:27 left pulled the Blue Devils within 47-27.

Neustifter and Alicia Tollefson buried triples to regain the momentum. Kokta then hit a jump shot and completed the three-point play to make it 59-29 with 12:15 on the clock.

With 10:03 to go, Stecker grabbed three offensive rebounds before making a put-back to give UW-Oshkosh a 67-34 lead. The Titans led by 26-plus points the rest of the afternoon.

UW-Oshkosh recorded 44 percent (28-63) overall shooting, along with marks of 32 percent (8-25) from long distance and 61 percent (14-23) at the foul line. The Titans won the rebounding battle, 44-33.

UW-Stout connected on just 1-of-15 three-pointers (7 percent). The Blue Devils shot 41 percent (20-49) overall and 56 percent (9-16) on free throws while committing 23 turnovers.

Sami Schoeder and Hebert topped UW-Stout with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Folkers pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.

The Titans host UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday (Feb. 12) in Kolf Sports Center.

By Jon Feyen