Titans Trap Pointers To Clinch Second Place

UW-Oshkosh won at UW-Stevens Point for the first time in nine years with a 57-53 women's basketball triumph over the Pointers on Wednesday (Feb. 19).

The Titans, ranked 16th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com, continued their best start to a season since 1999. UW-Oshkosh will be the second seed and host a WIAC Tournament game on Feb. 27.

UW-Oshkosh (21-3/12-3 WIAC) forced six turnovers while holding the Pointers scoreless for the opening 6:37. Sarah Stecker counted the first four points of the contest before Katelyn Kuehl sank a jumper to give the Titans a 6-0 lead.

Over the next four minutes, UW-Stevens Point (16-8/9-6 WIAC) scored eight straight points to go ahead. The Titans responded with eight straight points, including two Stecker free throws that gave them a 14-8 lead with 8:25 on the clock.

Myranda Tyler made three buckets late in the half to pull the Pointers closer. A pair of foul shots by Kaitlyn Jacobs made it 23-22, but UW-Oshkosh remained on top.

Leading by five points at halftime, Kuehl converted a put-back early in the second period for a 30-23 advantage. She then assisted on Ashley Neustifter's three-point basket that put the Titans in front, 35-29, with 16:37 remaining.

UW-Stevens Point had two more rallies. Tyler cut the Pointers' deficit to 42-40 when she sank two free throws with 10:43 left. UW-Oshkosh answered with seven consecutive points, including five by Stecker.

Alyssa Olp's foul shot made it a 56-53 score with 28 seconds to go, but UW-Oshkosh's Taylor Schmidt sealed the victory with her free throw moments later.

Stecker led the Titans with 11 points and nine rebounds. Kuehl totaled eight points and eight rebounds, while Neustifter tallied nine points and three assists. Maggie Novak came off the bench to score eight points.

Both teams shot 39 percent overall (19-49). The Titans hit 5-of-14 three-point attempts (36 percent) and 14-of-26 free throws (54 percent). UW-Stevens Point connected on just 1-of-6 shots (17 percent) from long range and 14-of-24 tosses (58 percent) at the foul line.

The Pointers received 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks from Tyler. Olp added 14 points and Allie Miceli seven rebounds.

UW-Oshkosh concludes its 25-game regular season against UW-Superior on Saturday (Feb. 22) in Kolf Sports Center.

By Jon Feyen