Warhawks Notch Win over Titans

Kaitlyn Thill made 3-of-3 shots behind the arc, including one for the lead, during UW-Whitewater's 70-56 women's basketball triumph over UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday (Jan. 18) in Whitewater.

The Titans (7-10/1-7 WIAC) held a 45-43 advantage with 13 minutes left before the Warhawks (13-4/5-3 WIAC) posted a 27-9 scoring run to take over. With 10 minutes remaining, Thill buried a triple to go in front, 47-45. Chantel Burg later added two inside hoops as UW-Whitewater stretched the margin to 59-49 with 4:54 to play.

UW-Oshkosh managed 50 percent (23-46) shooting, including 8-of-14 accuracy (57 percent) from deep, but was slowed by 20 turnovers. Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) paced the Titans with 17 points, five assists and three rebounds. Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) contributed 14 points and Alicia Tollefson (Fr. • Crystal Falls, Mich.) 11 points.

Cortney Kumerow topped four Warhawks in double figures with her 13 points. Thill marked 12 points and four assists, while Burg and Mary Merg each totaled 10 points. UW-Whitewater, which shot 54 percent (26-48) overall, took advantage of five steals by Burg and five boards from Steff Glynn.

The contest featured four ties in the opening 16 minutes. Wenig accounted for seven straight Titan points to gain an early 9-7 lead. UW-Oshkosh then tallied nine unanswered points, using Katie Kitzke's (Jr. • South Milwaukee) three-ball to go ahead 18-12 at the 11:17 mark.

Facing that six-point deficit, the Warhawks bounced back with a 22-6 streak. Thill started things with a lay-in before Katie Burton nailed a jumper to take the 24-22 lead. Thill counted two triples before halftime to make it a 34-26 margin.

Tollefson swished a pair of three-pointers during the second half to tie the score at 39. After a few minutes where both teams struggled to convert, Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) connected from downtown and Wenig followed with a triple to gain the 45-43 cushion.

The Warhawks held a 10-point advantage at the foul line after hitting 12-of-16 attempts (75 percent), compared to the Titans' 2-of-6 success (33 percent). UW-Whitewater sank six of its 15 long-range tries (40 percent) to capture its seventh straight victory.

UW-Oshkosh returns home to face UW-Platteville on Wednesday (Jan. 25) in Kolf Sports Center.