Titans Win Close Battle Against Blue Devils

OSHKOSH, Wis.—Kate Huml recorded a season best night as the (RV) UW-Oshkosh Titans (13-5, 4-4, WIAC) defeated the UW-Stout Blue Devils (13-6, 5-3 WIAC) in a tight battle inside Kolf Sports Center, 75-73.

Huml led all players with 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting and went 8-of-9 from the charity stripe. Bridget Froehlke nearly matched her season best, grabbing 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Sarah Hardwick rounded out the Titans in double-digit scoring with 11 points. Hardwick was one of four Titans to go perfect from the free throw line (3-for-3). Froehlke hit five 3-pointers, breaking her season best record of three made 3-pointers.

Hardwick led the Titans with six rebounds as Jenna Jorgensen grabbed five rebounds. Huml led the team in assists.

The Titans shot 43.1% from the field (25-of-58) and shot 38.1% from behind the arc (8-of-21). From the charity stripe, the Titans went 17-of-19 (89.5%). The Titans were outrebounded by the Blue Devils 34-22. The Titans claimed nine steals and 11 assists in the contest. With the victory, the Titans and Blue Devils split the regular season series.

Game Summary

The Blue Devils jumped out to a 9-4 lead early in the first quarter as the game would see five ties and seven lead changes. Bridget Froehlke ended a scoring drought with a 3-pointer. Allison Forney tied the game on a pair of free throws with 3:14 remaining in the quarter. Battling closely in the final minutes of the quarter, the Titans ended the game on an 8-2 run.

Huml and Froehlke hit back-to-back shots to open the second quarter of play as the Titans took a 22-15 lead. The Blue Devils went on a 11-0 run before Jorgensen found the bottom of the net from behind the arc. Finding a spot behind the arc, Froehlke put the Titans back up with a 3-pointers as Hardwick extended the lead to four. Trading baskets over the final three minutes of the first half, the Titans took a 32-30 lead into the break.

Opening the third quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers, the Blue Devils took a 36-32 lead with 6:59 remaining in the quarter. Led by Hardwick, the Titans went on an 8-2 run, taking the lead back at 40-38. The Titans and Blue Devils traded trips to the free throw line as the teams made a combined five trips over two minutes. Sam Schaeffer of the Blue Devils hit back-to-back 3-pointers as the Blue Devils went on a 9-0 run. Froehlke and Huml combined for the final six points of the third quarter with the Titans leading by four. 

The Titans never trailed in the fourth quarter of play opening with back-to-back shots from Huml and Mahra Wieman. The Titans and Blue Devils made five trips to the free throw line in the final 1:17 of the game, with only one free throw attempt being missed between the teams. 

Up Next on the Court 

The Titans return to action on January 25, traveling to UW-Platteville. Action is set to tipoff at 7 p.m.

Photo Credit: Steve Frommell