Division II Warriors Pull Away From Titans

Seven unanswered points early in the second half helped Winona State University (Minn.) defeat UW-Oshkosh, 77-56, in a women's basketball game held Sunday (Dec. 20) in Winona, Minn.

Down 35-24 at halftime, UW-Oshkosh (2-7) cut the Warriors' lead to 38-31 on a lay-up by Michelle Boeder (Jr. • Oshkosh) with 18:23 to play. Winona State University, a NCAA Division II school, then took control of the contest by scoring seven straight points to take a 45-31 lead with 16:50 left.

The Warriors (7-4) extended their lead to 60-39 with 9:17 remaining and maintained an advantage of at least 18 points the rest of the way. Winona State University's largest lead of the game was 23 points, counts of 68-45 and 77-54.

Winona State University scored the game's first six points until a three-point basket by Boeder cut the Titans' deficit in half. The Warriors led 10-5 before scoring 10 consecutive points to take a 20-5 lead at the 11:18 mark of the opening period.

Down 23-6, UW-Oshkosh tallied seven straight points, including a three-point basket by Megan Lund (So. • Reedsville), to pull to within 23-13 with 6:30 to go in the first half. The Warriors extended their lead to 33-16 and settled for an 11-point advantage at the break.

Boeder scored 12 points and dished off six assists to lead the Titans. UW-Oshkosh also received 10 points from Heidi Baerenwald (So. • Appleton), nine points, six assists and two blocked shots from Laura Ebbens (Jr. • Appleton) and seven points and two assists from Katie Kitzke (Fr. • South Milwaukee).

Winona State University, which was playing its first game against UW-Oshkosh since the 1990-91 season, was led by the 16 points and eight rebounds of Michelle McDonald. The Warriors also benefited from the 14 points and three rebounds of Natalie Gigler, 12 points and four assists of Samantha Barber, 10 points and five assists of Ana Wurtz and eight points and 10 assists of Marieanna Dulas.

UW-Oshkosh shot 41.3 percent (19-46) from the field, 40 percent (4-10) behind the three-point line and 66.7 percent (14-21) from the free-throw stripe. The Titans totaled 27 rebounds, 17 assists and 16 turnovers.

Winona State University shot 47.8 percent (32-67) from the field, including 33.3 percent (7-21) behind the three-point arc. The Warriors made all six of their free throws. Winona State University compiled 38 rebounds, 30 assists and 11 turnovers.

UW-Oshkosh plays the third of five straight non-conference games when it hosts Edgewood College on Tuesday (Dec. 22) in Kolf Sports Center.