Eagles' Defense Quiets Titans

UW-La Crosse posted a double-digit rebounding advantage and allowed just 25.9 percent (14-54) field goal shooting to earn a 67-48 win over the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team on Saturday (Jan. 28) in La Crosse.

Kassie Robinson scored season-high 20 points and contributed three blocked shots on the defensive end for UW-La Crosse. The Eagles (14-5/7-3 WIAC) also benefitted from the 10 points and five rebounds from Briana Radowicz, nine points and nine rebounds from Mallory Cramer and five points, eight rebounds and four assists from Katie Ehlen.

UW-Oshkosh (7-12/1-9 WIAC) was led by the 13 points and three assists from Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh), 10 points, two rebounds and three steals from Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) and four points and five rebounds from Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells).

Never trailing in the contest, the Eagles got their first six points from Robinson. UW-Oshkosh came back with three-point baskets by Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) and Wenig to get an 8-6 deficit. Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) later earned a lay-up to pull the Titans to within 15-14.

Robinson converted an inside bucket to start a string of 12 straight points for UW-La Crosse. Alyssa Streck made a long-range jumper, and Cramer hit a lay-up to give the Eagles a 27-14 lead with 4:03 left in the first half.

UW-La Crosse owned a 31-21 lead at halftime and came out firing in the second period. Robinson tallied two field goals, turning one into a three-point play. A Radowicz three-point basket later extended the Eagles' lead to 43-25.

Kitzke accounted for two three-point baskets midway through the second half, but the Titans had five empty possessions in between. Wenig eventually swished four consecutive shots at the foul line to make it a 57-39 deficit with 6:02 remaining.

UW-Oshkosh retrieved 36 rebounds and committed 15 turnovers. The Titans shot 26.7 percent (4-15) behind the three-point arc and 80 percent (16-20) from the free-throw line.

UW-La Crosse registered shooting percentages of 44.4 (24-54) from the field, 42.9 (3-7) behind the three-point line and 50 percent (16-32) from the free-throw stripe. The Eagles grabbed 49 rebounds and turned the basketball over 16 times.

UW-Oshkosh visits UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday (Feb. 1) for the second of five straight road games.