Titans Clamp Down on Duhawks

UW-Oshkosh held its sixth straight opponent below 36-percent shooting to record a 67-57 victory over the Loras College (Iowa) women's basketball team on Saturday (Nov. 26) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans are now 5-0, with all their wins coming by at least nine points. UW-Oshkosh held the Duhawks (3-2) to 16-of-48 accuracy from the field for 33 percent. After leading 28-24 at halftime, the Titans marked the first 10 points of the second period to pull away for good.

Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) buried a three-pointer just 19 seconds into the final half to take a 31-24 advantage. Following a pair of Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) free throws, Kitzke again connected from downtown – while getting fouled. The four-point play made it 37-24, and UW-Oshkosh was up by nine-plus points the rest of the way.

The Titans achieved their largest margin after Wenig tallied four points and Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) booked a lay-up for a 54-34 cushion with 8:11 left. Loras College later pulled within 62-53 after four different players contributed during a 9-0 scoring spurt.

UW-Oshkosh took control in the first eight minutes of play, as Myklebust swished three jump shots for a 10-7 lead. Kitzke finished off a three-point play to make it 15-7 with 12:20 on the first-half clock.

Melissa Herrmann posted seven quick points as the Duhawks clawed back. She knocked down three foul shots and two lay-ups to put Loras ahead, 21-19. Kitzke then responded with a hoop in the lane and a jumper to put UW-Oshkosh up for good.

Kitzke topped all players with 19 points and three steals, while Wenig notched 17 points and four assists. UW-Oshkosh also benefitted from 12 points and three rebounds by Myklebust.

The Titans continued their strong free-throw accuracy by sinking 24-of-28 attempts (86 percent). They compiled 44 percent shooting overall (20-45), including 3-of-10 accuracy behind the arc (30 percent). UW-Oshkosh committed 15 turnovers to the Duhawks' total of 17.

Loras College prevailed in the rebounding category, 30-29. The visitors also took advantage of the foul line with 88-percent efficiency (22-25). Lindsey LaBadie paced her squad with totals of 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. The Duhawks connected on three of their 13 tries from long range (23 percent).

UW-Oshkosh welcomes Wheaton College (Ill.) to Kolf Sports Center on Saturday (Dec. 3).