18th-Ranked Falcons Top Titans With Second-Half Surge

UW-River Falls shot 75 percent (18-24) from the field in the second half to record a 71-44 victory over the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team on Saturday (Dec. 10) in Kolf Sports Center. The Falcons (8-0/2-0 WIAC) entered the contest ranked 18th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.

The Falcons made just 5-of-23 shots (21.7 percent) in the opening 20 minutes, but still managed to post a 23-16 lead at the break. Maranda Dohrn had three baskets as UW-River Falls came out of halftime with an 11-2 scoring run. The Falcons extended their margin to double digits and cruised the rest of the way.

Dohrn, the WIAC's top rebounder, grabbed 11 boards to go with her game-high 14 points. The Falcons made 24-of-32 free throws (75 percent) while receiving 10 points apiece from Nikki Guhr and Holly Riesselman. UW-River Falls put on a strong defensive effort with 16 steals, including three by Guhr.

After 13 minutes of action, the squads were tied at 8. The teams shot a combined 6-for-30 (20 percent) from the field to begin the contest. UW-River Falls jumped ahead with seven unanswered points, ending with Brittany Gregorich's three-point play that made it 17-10.

UW-Oshkosh got consecutive three-point baskets by Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) and Megan Lund (Sr. • Reedsville) to pull within 34-24 at the 14:19 mark of the second half. Wenig then hit a jumper, got fouled and converted the free throw to cut the Titans' deficit to 40-29.

The Falcons tallied 20 of the next 26 points thanks to their hot shooting. Dohrn drilled four straight foul shots, while Guhr converted a pair of lay-ups. UW-River Falls took a 60-35 advantage on two free throws by Riesselman with 4:26 left.

Never finding their rhythm, the Titans finished with 29.4 percent (15-51) accuracy from the field. They also recorded 28.6 percent (2-7) marksmanship behind the three-point arc and 54.5 percent (12-22) success on free throws.

UW-Oshkosh was led by the eight points and four assists of Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee). The Titans also received seven points and three rebounds from Sarah Stecker (So. • Menasha) and five points, six rebounds and three steals from Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells). Lund and Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) contributed five points each.

The Falcons concluded the game shooting 48.9 percent (23-47) from the field, but were just 16.7 percent (1-6) behind the three-point circle. UW-River Falls tops the WIAC in rebounding, and it captured that category by a 42-31 figure.

The Titans have a road game at UW-Platteville next Saturday (Dec. 17).