Titans Start Strong Against the Royals
EAU CLAIRE, Wis.—The Titans came out firing in the first quarter and maintained their lead as the No. 22/18 UW-Oshkosh Titans improved to 2-0 on the season, defeating the Bethel Royals 78-71.
Game Recap
Jenna Jorgensen opened the contest for the Titans with back-to-back 3-pointers as the Titans took a 6-2 lead. The Titans continued to build on their early lead, starting a 9-2 run over two and a half minutes of play. With 2:09 to play in the first quarter, Jorgensen caught a pass from Jaden Kolinski to extend the Titans lead to 10 at 24-14.
Kennedy Osterman answered an opening basket from the Royals with a shot from behind the arc as Kayce Vaile added her own 3-pointer as the Titans took a 32-16 lead early in the second quarter. Back-to-back baskets by Vaile and Sarah Hardwick saw the Titans jump out to a 20-point lead with 6:22 remaining in the half. The Titans defense held the Royals to only two baskets for nearly two minutes as Ava Douglas hit a 3-pointer for Oshkosh. Ending the first half of play, the teams traded baskets as the Titans took a 14-point lead at the break.
A pair of free throws by Kate Huml were the first points of the third quarter for the Titans. The Royals started to claw their way back into the game, going on a 8-0 run to bring the Titans lead to single digits. An old-fashioned 3-point play from Huml saw the Titans take back a double-digit lead. Over nearly five minute of play, the Titans held the Royals to a single basket and went on an 8-2 run.
The Royals came hot firing in the fourth quarter, trimming the Titans lead to seven with 8:06 remaining in the quarter. Jorgensen made a jumper for the Titans, ending a nearly two-minute scoring drought after Vaile recorded a steal for the Titans. The Titans kept the defensive pressure on the Royals, allowing nine points over the final three and a half minutes of play.
Titan Leaders
Jorgensen nearly matched her career-best performance, scoring 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting. Vaile recorded her second career double-double with 14 points (5-of-9 FG) and 11 rebounds for the Titans.
Douglas recorded a career-high night, on 6-of-11 shooting for 15 points. Douglas' previous best was 13 points on Dec. 4, 2021. Huml was the final Titan in double-digit scoring, adding 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting and going perfect from the line (6-of-6).
Huml and Osterman (2-of-2) were perfect from the free throw line as the Titans went 18-of-27 as a team from the line.
The Titans outrebounded the Royals 32 to 25 while matching them on shooting percentage (50.9%).
Eau Claire Tip-Off Tourney Continues
The Titans conclude action at the Eau Claire Tip-Off tourney as the Titans take on the Knights of Wartburg College on Nov. 12. Action is set to get underway at 5 p.m. in Zorn Arena.