Titans Sink Vikings In Season Opener

UW-Oshkosh shot 67 percent (16-24) in the second half to pull away for a 65-56 women's basketball victory over Lawrence University on Tuesday (Nov. 15) in Appleton. The contest was the season opener for both squads.

Katie Kitzke (Jr. • South Milwaukee) led the Titans with 18 points, eight assists and three steals. Megan Wenig (Jr. • Oshkosh) was next in line with 16 points and five assists, while Heather Conroy (Fr. • Wisconsin Dells) paced the squad with eight rebounds. UW-Oshkosh captured its season opener for the third straight year.

The Vikings dominated the first five minutes, grabbing a 6-0 lead on Presley Neuman's jumper. Responding with seven unanswered points, the Titans went in front. Wenig hit a mid-range shot before Nichole Paisar (Fr. • Leopolis) drained a three-pointer to make it 6-5.

Lawrence University increased its margin to 15-9 with a pair of buckets from Alex Deshler. Again, the Titans responded. Their 8-0 scoring run featured back-to-back triples by Kitzke and Megan Lund (Sr. • Reedsville). UW-Oshkosh took the lead for good at 18-17 with 6:15 left in the first half.

The Titans were up, 29-26, at intermission. With the cushion at 49-44, Wenig converted a three-point play. Kelsey Myklebust (Sr. • Wisconsin Dells) then finished off the string of nine consecutive points with a lay-up. UW-Oshkosh went in front, 58-44, with 3:42 remaining and led by eight-plus points the rest of the way.

Hitting 16-of-19 two-pointers during the closing period, the Titans finished with 51 percent (26-51) accuracy from the field. They made 4-of-17 tries from long range (24 percent) and 9-of-14 attempts (64 percent) at the foul line.

Lawrence University got a strong showing from Deshler, who totaled 12 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and five steals. The home squad was led by the 17 points from Amber Lisowe. Struggling from the field at 34.3 percent (23-67), the Vikings added 31 percent (4-13) accuracy from deep and 60 percent (6-10) effectiveness on free throws.

UW-Oshkosh plays Alverno College on Friday (Nov. 18) in Stevens Point.