Blugolds Put Titans Away In Final Minute

A jumper from Jodi Lindner with 1:46 remaining kicked off seven unanswered points to help UW-Eau Claire outlast the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team, 52-44, on Wednesday (Dec. 2) in Eau Claire.

The Titans (1-4/0-1 WIAC) pulled to within one (45-44) with 2:13 remaining after Dannielle Bauer (Jr. • Dell Rapids, S.D.) connected on two free throws. The Blugolds (2-4/1-0 WIAC) held UW-Oshkosh scoreless the rest of the contest using a combination of stout defense and fast-paced offense, capping the run with two free throws by Sarah Bingea.

UW-Eau Claire, which has won six straight meetings between the two teams, did not allow a UW-Oshkosh basket until 3:40 into play. The Titans' first points came in the form of a jumper from Shelby Churchill (Jr. • Sheboygan) to make the score 6-2.

The Titans rallied to tie the game at six, thanks to two foul shots from Ashley Winterfeldt (Fr. • Hortonville). UW-Eau Claire stormed right back, taking a 13-6 lead with 8:50 remaining on a three-pointer by Laura Olson.

UW-Oshkosh pulled to within three at the half (20-17) as a three-pointer from Heidi Baerenwald (So. • Appleton) swished through the net 33 seconds before the break.

The second half was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with UW-Oshkosh pulling within one (20-19) early, thanks to Baerenwald hitting two free throws.

UW-Eau Claire had an answer every time to the Titans, taking its second-largest lead at six points (38-32) with 6:39 left. Baerenwald again helped the Titans climb back, hitting two more foul shots with 5:35 remaining to cut the deficit to 38-37.

The Blugolds took a five-point lead (42-37) with 3:38 remaining after free throws by Mesick and held a 45-42 advantage with 2:30 remaining.

Baerenwald paced the Titans with 12 points, along with three rebounds. Katie Kitzke (Fr. • South Milwaukee) followed close behind with nine points and four rebounds, while Michelle Boeder (Jr. • Oshkosh) tallied six points.

UW-Eau Claire had three players in double figures, including Mesick and Bingea each with 12 points and Lindner with 10.

The Titans corralled 24 rebounds, led by four apiece from Kitzke and Bauer. UW-Eau Claire tallied 35 boards, led by 11 from Ellen Plendl.

UW-Oshkosh shot 28.2 percent (11-39) from the field while converting 69.2 percent (18-26) of its tries from the free-throw line. The Titans shot 30.8 percent from three-point range (4-13).

UW-Eau Claire shot 44.2 percent (19-43) from the field and was 12-of-17 from the free-throw stripe (70.6 percent). The Blugolds made two of their five three-point attempts for 40 percent shooting on the night.

UW-Oshkosh continues action on Wednesday (Dec. 9) as it takes on UW-Platteville in Kolf Sports Center.