Titans Win Defensive Battle Over Eagles

OSHKOSH, Wis.—Ava Douglas recorded a career-high 20 points as the UW-Oshkosh Titans won a defensive battle, defeating the UW-La Crosse Eagles, 61-53. The Titans (11-5, 2-4 WIAC) snapped the Eagles (14-3, 3-3 WIAC) six-game winning streak and earned their first WIAC win at home.  

Douglas went five-of-eight from the line, made two shots behind the arc, and was perfect from the charity stripe (eight-for-eight). Douglas led the Titans with three assists and one block in the contest. Kate Huml added 10 points on four-of-five shooting for the Titans. Jenna Jorgensen added eight points for the Titans and led the Titans in rebounds with six.

Oshkosh went 38% from the field (19-of-50) and scored 10 3-pointers in the contest. The Titans were nearly perfect at the charity stripe, going 13-of-14. The Titans were outrebounding by eight, collecting 23 rebounds. The Titans added 11 assists, three steals, and one block in the contest. The Titans bench added 31 points as the Titans and scored 11 points off Eagles turnovers.

Game Summary

The Titans and Eagles kept the game close in the first quarter as the lead changed three times in the first six minutes. The Eagles made a pair of free throws to tie the game at eight with 4:02 remaining. Avery Poole hit a pair of free throws to end a two-minute scoring drought by the Titans as Mallory Lindsey hit a 3-pointer with 1:56 remaining in the quarter. The Eagles hit a layup late in the quarter to trim the Titans lead to three to end the first quarter of play.

The Titans kept up the defensive pressure, holding the Eagles to only nine points in the second quarter. Douglas scored eight unanswered points for the Titans late in the second quarter. After an Eagles layup, Allison Forney and Jenna Jorgensen made back-to-back shots for the Titans for a nine-point lead. Huml extended the lead to 12 with a 3-pointer at 29-17 before the Eagles answered with a jump shot.

The Eagles offense came out firing in the third quarter, opening on a 6-0 run. Forney made her way to the free throw line for the first points of the half for the Titans. A 3-pointer from Jorgensen gave the Titans an eight-point lead with 4:37 remaining as the Eagles attempted a late comeback with four quick points. The Titans ended the third quarter of action on a 5-2 run and a seven-point lead.

Huml and Vaile hit back-to-back shots to start the fourth and final quarter of play as the Eagles hit back-to-back 3-pointers. The Titans and Eagles traded baskets as the Titans kept the cruise control on their lead. The Eagles came within three at 55-52 with 1:15 remaining in the game before Brdiget Froelhke started the final push for the Titans with a 3-pointer.

Next Time on the Court

The Titans return to action on January 18, traveling to UW-Stevens Point for a 7 p.m. game.

Photo Credit: Steve Frommell