Titans' Effort Rewarded With Win Over Norse

UW-Oshkosh outscored Luther College (Iowa) by 15 points in the first half and nine in the second as it captured an 80-56 men's basketball victory in the championship game of the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel Titan Classic held Saturday (Nov. 22) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans (3-1) shot a healthy 55.6 percent (30-54) from the field, including 63 percent (17-27) in the second half. The Titans also converted 7-of-20 three-point shots (35 percent) and 13-of-18 free throws (72.2 percent).

Luther College (2-1) finished the game shooting 38.5 percent (20-52) from the field after converting just seven of its 27 attempts (25.9 percent) in the first half. The Norse also shot 23.1 percent (6-26) behind the three-point line and 71.4 percent (10-14) from the charity stripe.

UW-Oshkosh's Sean Dwyer was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after totaling 19 points and two rebounds against Luther College and 14 points and four rebounds during Friday's (Nov. 21) 76-48 win over Finlandia University (Mich.). Dwyer drained nine of his 15 three-point shots in the two games, including 5-of-8 attempts against Luther College.

The Titans' AJ Mueller joined Dwyer on the All-Tournament Team. Mueller scored 16 points against the Norse by making 7-of-11 shots from the field and both free throws. He also tallied seven rebounds and three assists. Mueller had six points, nine rebounds and four assists against Finlandia University.

Other members of the All-Tournament Team were Jake Martin and Nathan Meyer from Luther College and Brandon Robinette from Finlandia University. Robinette helped Finlandia University defeat Blackburn College (Ill.), 84-80, in Saturday's consolation game.

Luther College struck first in Saturday's championship game as Meyer drained a three-pointer 53 seconds into play. A three-pointer by Dwyer at the 16:48 mark gave UW-Oshkosh a 4-3 lead and an advantage it wouldn't relinquish for the remainder of the contest.

Following a layup by Luther College's Luke Wright, UW-Oshkosh scored eight straight points, including four by Taylor Jansen, to take a 14-5 lead with 13:16 left in the first half.

UW-Oshkosh tallied seven consecutive points later in the first half to build a 29-12 lead with 5:32 to play. The Titans scored 20 of the period's last 32 points to take a 34-19 advantage to intermission.

A pair of baskets by Martin and one by Meyer cut Luther College's deficit to 37-25 with 17:04 left in the second half.

The Titans responded by scoring 11 of the next 15 points, including eight by Dwyer, to take a 48-29 lead with 14:26 remaining in the game.

Luther College got as close as 56-41 with 11 minutes left, but a Dwyer three-pointer capped an 11-4 scoring run that gave the Titans a 67-45 lead with 7:32 remaining.

UW-Oshkosh had three 24-point leads the rest of the game, with the last coming on a three-point basket by Charlie Noon that created the contest's final score.

In addition to the performances by Dwyer and Mueller, the Titans also received 10 points from Jake Laihinen, six points, seven rebounds and three steals from Kyle Bolger and nine points and five assists from Alex Olson.

Meyer led Luther College in scoring with 14 points. The Norse also obtained 11 points and three rebounds from Cody Kliethermes and four points and a game-high 10 rebounds from Martin.

The Titans won the rebounding battle, 34-28, and the turnover count, 11-13.

UW-Oshkosh is off until it hosts top-ranked and defending NCAA Division III champion UW-Whitewater on Dec. 3 in Kolf Sports Center.