Titans Use Long Ball To Ground Falcons

UW-Oshkosh hit a three-pointer on three consecutive possessions to take the lead during its 70-62 triumph over the Concordia University Wisconsin men's basketball team on Saturday (Dec. 29) in Wisconsin Dells.

Trailing 45-38 with 9:18 remaining, Jade Royston (Jr. • Wisconsin Dells) drained a shot behind the arc. The Titans then forced a turnover to set up Josh Hopfensperger's (So. • Neenah) three-pointer. After making a steal, Cory Nickel (Jr. • Waupun) buried a triple to put UW-Oshkosh on top 47-45.

Royston, who led all players with 15 points and six assists, converted a lay-up for a 50-45 cushion. The Titans (5-6) held at least a four-point advantage the rest of the game.

Concordia University Wisconsin (5-4) used Steven Brodie's jumper to pull within 58-54, but Dylan Wurtz (Jr. • Kimberly) knocked down a three-pointer with 1:23 left to increase the lead. The Titans sealed the victory with two free throws by Andre Wallace (Fr. • Sun Prairie), Royston and Wurtz during the final 31 seconds.

In the game's first six minutes, the Titans gained a 9-4 advantage on a mid-range bucket from Hopfensperger. Concordia responded with three-pointers by Brian Jackson, Mark Pace and Casey Kegley to grab a 20-14 lead.

Steve Zielinski scored six of the Falcons' last eight points before halftime, as they took a 29-24 advantage to intermission.

Right away in the second half, Wurtz missed a jumper, got his own rebound and drove for a lay-up. Royston then tied the score at 34 with a lay-in. Concordia followed with a 10-4 run that featured six Keith Kahlfeldt points to go back in front.

Wallace tallied 10 points, eight rebounds and three steals, while Wurtz counted 10 points and four rebounds and Sean Wise (Sr. • Wautoma) eight points and six rebounds. The Titans received eight points from Hopfensperger and seven from Dan Sidesky (Fr. • New Berlin) off the bench.

UW-Oshkosh shot 41 percent (23-56) from the field, including 55 percent (16-29) during the second half. The Titans made 7-of-22 long-range tries (32 percent) and 17-of-20 free throws (85 percent).

Zielinski led the Falcons with 13 points, while Bryan Donaldson had 10. Pace added nine points and six rebounds.

Concordia University Wisconsin, which had its three-game winning streak snapped, shot 41 percent (22-54) from the field and 71 percent (12-17) from the foul line. The Falcons made 6-of-24 three-pointers (25 percent).

UW-Oshkosh takes on Loras College (Iowa) on Sunday (Dec. 30) in Wisconsin Dells.