Oshkosh Wins Battle of the Titans

OSHKOSH, Wis.- The No. 3 nationally ranked UW-Oshkosh Titans defeated the No. 21 ranked Illinois Wesleyan University Titans 66-47 in their first-ever meeting on Saturday evening in Kolf Sports Center. In a showdown of preseason poll conference winners, Oshkosh was picked to win the WIAC and Illinois Wesleyan was picked to win the CCIW (College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin). Oshkosh increased their record to 5-2 on the season, and Illinois Wesleyan fell to 2-3. 

First Half Summary

After a few missed shots by both teams to start the game, Illinois Wesleyan's Ryan Sroka scored the first points of the game with a three-pointer with 18:33 remaining in the first half. Oshkosh fought back right away, outscoring Illinois Wesleyan 8-3 to take their first lead of the game. Hunter Plamann scored five points in the run. Oshkosh built up to a eight-point lead with 2:44 left in the half, but Sroka scored six of Illinois Wesleyan's 12 points through the end of the first half, ending with a 28-30 score. Cole Booth made a jump shot with one second left to break the 28-28 tie. 

First Half Leaders

Oshkosh shot 38.7 percent from the field including 33.3 percent from both three and the line. Plamann led Oshkosh with eight points, going three-of-five from the field and one-of-two from both three and the line. Eric Peterson was right behind him with seven points. Levi Borchert recorded the most rebounds in the half with five (one offensive).

Illinois Wesleyan shot 41.4 percent from the field including 30.8 percent from three. They shot no free throws in the first half. Sroka was Illinois Wesleyan's top scorer with 15 points, going six-of-nine from the field and three-of-five from three. Cody Mitchell recorded six rebounds in the half. 

Second Half Summary

Harrison Wilmsen tied the game quickly after the second half started, but Oshkosh scored nine straight points, the run ending with a Plamann jump shot to make the score 39-30 with 15:29 left in the second half. The teams traded points until Oshkosh went 12-0 to finish the game, not allowing Illinois Wesleyan to score in the last seven minutes.

Full Game Leaders

Oshkosh shot 37.1 percent from the field, 45.0 percent from three and 64.7 percent from the line over the course of the whole game. Plamann scored 20 points, going seven-of-14 from the field, three-of-six from three and three-of-four from the line. Both Peterson (18) and Booth (10) also scored at least 10 points. Levi Borchert recorded nine rebounds (four offensive). Peterson led Oshkosh with four steals, a season high. 

Illinois Wesleyan shot 36.5 percent from the field, 30.4 percent from three and 100.0 percent from the line. Sroka finished the game with 18 points, going seven-of-12 from the field and four-of-six from three. Lucas Heflen also scored 11 points. Cody Mitchell recorded 10 total rebounds (two offensive). 

Looking Forward

Oshkosh heads to Platteville to take on UW-Platteville on Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. in the WIAC season-opener.