Titans Hit 26 Free Throws To Fight Off Bulldogs

UW-Oshkosh won its fifth straight women's basketball contest with a 66-58 victory over Adrian College (Mich.) on Friday (Dec. 21) in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Titans outscored the Bulldogs, 26-4, at the foul line and made 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to clinch the victory. At 9-2, UW-Oshkosh is off to its best start since a 15-0 beginning to the 2004-05 season.

Katie Kitzke (Sr. • South Milwaukee) converted 10-of-11 free throws as she tied a career high with 25 points. The Titans also received 12 points and six rebounds from Katelyn Kuehl (So. • Fond du Lac), 10 points and six rebounds from Heather Conroy (So. • Wisconsin Dells) and nine points, four rebounds and four assists from Ashley Neustifter (Fr. • Oshkosh).

Casey Fougerousse hit a jumper with 2:29 remaining to make it a 57-56 UW-Oshkosh lead. While the Titans converted their free throws, Adrian College (3-7) had two turnovers and two missed shots in its last five possessions. Kitzke's two foul shots with 29 seconds left increased UW-Oshkosh's advantage to 63-58.

UW-Oshkosh controlled the first half, using a 21-7 run to go ahead by 11 points. After a lay-up from Kitzke, Conroy swished a jump shot to give the Titans a 24-13 lead.

The Titans forced Adrian College into six straight misses from the field. Nicole Boggs and Lauren Rhoads then connected from long range to cut the Bulldogs' deficit to 28-23. UW-Oshkosh took a 36-27 lead to halftime.

UW-Oshkosh got 10 points from five different players as it held a double-digit lead early in the second period. With 13 minutes to go, UW-Oshkosh held its largest cushion at 52-37.

Fougerousse hit a trio of three-pointers as the Bulldogs stormed back with a 15-2 run. Raven Anderson's jumper made it 54-52 with 8:33 left, but Adrian would never get closer than one point.

Nicole Boggs posted 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Fougerousse and Angela Broggi each topped the Bulldogs with 12 points. LaQwana Dockery added 11 points and five blocks for Adrian, which committed 20 turnovers.

UW-Oshkosh made just 2-of-14 three-point shots (14 percent) as it shot 35 percent (19-54) from the field. The Titans drained 26-of-31 free throws (84 percent) while turning the ball over 14 times.

Adrian College recorded 40 percent (23-58) shooting from the field and 40 percent (8-20) accuracy from long range. The Bulldogs attempted eight free throws, making four (50 percent).

The Titans return to Wisconsin and visit St. Norbert College on Friday (Dec. 28).