Titans' Free Throw Shooting Too Much For Blue Devils

UW-Oshkosh recorded a 20-point advantage from the free throw line during its 63-59 victory over the UW-Stout men's basketball team on Saturday (Jan. 18) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans made 28 of their 32 free throws (87.5 percent), including 20-of-23 attempts (86.9 percent) in the second half. UW-Oshkosh held off UW-Stout by making 11-of-13 foul shots (84.6 percent) during the final 2:47.

UW-Stout (9-7/4-4 WIAC), which lost for the sixth time in eight games, made just eight of their 18 free throws (44.4 percent). The Blue Devils were 4-of-9 shooting in each half.

UW-Oshkosh (6-9/2-5 WIAC) was led by the double-figure scoring of Jade Royston, Max Schebel and AJ Mueller. Royston, who converted all 11 of his free throws, scored 15 points while totaling four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Schebel added 14 points and seven rebounds and Mueller 11 points and two steals.

The Titans also received nine points and six rebounds from Dylan Wurtz and seven points, eight rebounds and three assists from Alex Olson.

Adam Wadzinski came off the bench to score a team-high 11 points for UW-Stout. He kept the Blue Devils alive in the game's last minute by converting a trio of three-pointers.

UW-Stout also obtained eight points and three rebounds from Josh Kosloske, seven points and nine rebounds from Jimmy Whitehead and seven points and seven rebounds from Alex Oman.

UW-Oshkosh finished the game shooting 34.1 percent (15-44) from the field and 41.7 percent (5-12) behind the three-point arc. The Titans totaled 32 rebounds and 10 turnovers.

The Blue Devils marked 23-of-59 shooting (39 percent) from the field. UW-Stout made 5 of their 20 three-point shots (25 percent) while compiling 40 rebounds and 13 turnovers.

UW-Oshkosh fell behind early, but led for the majority of the first half. The Titans opened a 10-point margin after scoring eight straight points to take a 30-20 lead with 2:32 left in the period.

Following a UW-Stout free throw, Taylor Jansen helped UW-Oshkosh take a 32-21 lead to intermission on his lay-up with 1:34 remaining.

In the second half, UW-Oshkosh opened a 37-25 lead before UW-Stout scored 15 straight points to grab a 40-37 advantage with 11 minutes to play. The Blue Devil run featured points from five different players.

Tied at 50, UW-Oshkosh scored 11 of the next 14 points to take a 61-53 lead with 28 seconds left. Schebel had seven points during the streak, including five free throws.

Wadzinski cut UW-Stout's deficit to 61-56 on a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining. Following a UW-Oshkosh turnover, Wadzinski converted another triple to make the score 61-59 with 14 seconds left.

Kyle Bolger made one of two free throws to put the Titans ahead, 62-59, with 11 seconds to play. Following a series of passes, Wadzinski missed a three-pointer with three seconds left. UW-Oshkosh secured the victory on Schebel's free throw with two seconds remaining. 

UW-Oshkosh stays in Kolf Sports Center to host UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday (Jan. 22).

Photo by Steve Frommell