Fifth-Ranked Titans To Visit 24th-Ranked Green Knights

A pair of nationally ranked women's basketball teams meet when No. 5 UW-Oshkosh visits No. 24 St. Norbert College on Saturday (Nov. 29) in De Pere. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Schuldes Sports Center.

Unbeaten UW-Oshkosh (5-0) has lived up to its highest national ranking in 14 years by outscoring this season's opponents by an average of 26 points per game. The Titans have held their five challengers to an average of 49.6 points per contest and 36.9 percent shooting from the field, including just 17.1 percent (12-70) behind the three-point arc.

UW-Oshkosh, which returns four starters from last year's team that compiled a 26-4 record and advanced to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Division III Championship, has played four of its five games this season on the road. Following Saturday's contest against St. Norbert College, the Titans travel to defending WIAC champion UW-Whitewater on Dec. 3 before hosting UW-Platteville on Dec. 10.

UW-Oshkosh opened the 2014-15 season with neutral-court wins of 86-60 over Hamline University (Minn.) and 64-40 over Coe College (Iowa). Following a 90-44 home triumph over Viterbo University, the Titans posted road victories of 76-64 over Loras College (Iowa) and 62-40 over Edgewood College.

In Tuesday's (Nov. 25) win over Edgewood College, UW-Oshkosh established a school record with 12 blocked shots. The Titans held the Eagles to 25.5 percent (14-55) shooting from the field, including just one basket during an 18-minute stretch that spanned both halves.

UW-Oshkosh, which won its first 12 games last season, averages 75.6 points per game. The Titans are shooting 46.9 percent from the field, including 37.5 percent on 3-point attempts, and 73.4 percent from the free-throw line. UW-Oshkosh, which ranks fifth in the NCAA Division III in field goal percentage, has made more free throws (80) than its opponents have attempted (68).

No Titan has scored more than 15 points in a game, but eight different players have scored 10 or more. Eliza Campbell, who has scored in double figures in each contest, leads the balanced attack with an average of 12.8 points per game. She is also tied for the team lead with seven steals and five blocks.

Katelyn Kuehl has averaged 10.2 points on 63.3 percent shooting from the field and a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game. Ashley Neustifter has added 9.6 points, 3.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per contest, while Taylor Schmidt has chipped in with averages of 9 points, a team-high 3.8 assists and 2.2 rebounds. Alex Richard has contributed 8.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

St. Norbert College (4-1), which has reached 19 victories in six of the last seven seasons, has won 146 of its last 183 games. Last year, the Green Knights posted a 21-5 record and participated in the NCAA Division III Championship.

St. Norbert College climbed into the national poll after opening the 2014-15 season with wins of 64-57 over UW-Stout, 76-46 over UW-Superior, 64-41 over Lake Forest College (Ill.) and 73-41 over Monmouth College (Ill.). The Green Knights lost their last game, 66-53, at UW-Eau Claire on Tuesday.

All five of the Green Knights' non-conference games this season are against WIAC opponents, four of which qualified for last year's six-team WIAC Tournament. St. Norbert College will play UW-Stevens Point in its final non-conference contest on Dec. 13.

St. Norbert College averages 66 points per game by shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 68.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Green Knights have allowed an average of 50.2 points per contest while forcing their opponents into an average of 21.6 turnovers per game.

Brianna Byrne leads three Green Knights in double-figure scoring with an average of 10.8 points per game. Regan Carmichael and Tasha Giese have averaged 10.2 and 10 points, respectively. Carmichael has added 5 rebounds and a team-high 2.4 assists per contest, while Giese leads the team in rebounding at 6.2 per game and in field goal percentage at 63.3.  

Jill Kleiman averages 9.2 points per game and leads St. Norbert College with 22 steals. Mallory Nickerson has added 8.2 points, 5.2 boards and a team-leading 1.4 blocks per game off the St. Norbert College bench.

UW-Oshkosh has an 18-12 record against St. Norbert College, including victories in the last three meetings. The Titans won last year's game in Kolf Sports Center by a 58-56 score.