Titans Defeat Eagles to Advance to WIAC Semifinals
OSHKOSH, Wis.—It was a close game from start to finish as the UW-Oshkosh Titans women's basketball team defeated the UW-La Crosse Eagles to advance in the 2023 WIAC Women's Basketball Tournament. The Titans (19-7) defeated the Eagles (19-7) 57-54 inside Kolf Sports Center.
Kayce Vaile led all scorers with 19 points (5-of-14 FG, 8-of-8 FT) as she was one of three Titans to land in double-figure scoring. Jenna Jorgensen added 14 points while Kate Huml rounded the Titans double-figure scoring action with 11 points. Vaile and Sarah Hardwick led the Titans with eight rebounds each.
The Titans went 17-of-19 from the free throw line (89.5%) and made 18-of-49 field goal attempts (36.7%). The Titans had four shots from behind the arc and added 26 rebounds. The Titans recorded 10 steals, nine assists, and four blocks.
The Titans are making their 11th straight trip to the semifinals of the WIAC tournament.
Game Summary
Vaile opened scoring for the Titans with a 3-pointer before the Eagles answered with a 3-pointer of their own. Hardwick and Ava Douglas made a pair of layups as the Titans took a 7-3 lead with 7:42 remaining in the first quarter. A series of quick baskets by both squads brought the game with one. Huml and Vaile connected for a 6-0 run as the Titans built their lead to seven at 17-10. A pair of free throws from Ava Douglas ended the Eagles late first quarter charge as the Titans led by three at the end of the first.
Jorgensen broke a nearly three-minute scoring drought with a 3-pointer before the Eagles tied the game up at 22 with 5:42 remaining in the first half. Vaile made a pair of free throws as the Titans were held to just two points over the course of five minutes.
Opening the third quarter, the Titans went on an 11-4 run to take the lead at 34-33. A 3-pointer by Huml put the Titans up by four as the Titans held the Eagles to two points over three minutes. The teams traded baskets and trips to the free throw line as the game would be tied at 41 after three quarters of play.
In the first four minutes of fourth quarter, the lead changed six times. A pair of free throws from Vaile at the 6:04 mark put the Titans up by one. The Titans started to pull away on a layup by Vaile with 5:36 remaining in the quarter. The Eagles fought back, coming within one at 51-50 with 1:33 left to play as the Titans ended the game on a 6-4 run.
Next Game
The Titans will travel to the top-seeded UW-Whitewater (19-6) on February 26 for a 7 p.m. matchup. More information about the WIAC Women's Basketball Tournament can be found here.
Photo Credit: Steve Frommell