Blugolds Snap Titans' Eight-Game Win Streak

UW-Oshkosh had its eight-game winning streak snapped as the UW-Eau Claire women's basketball team defeated the Titans, 52-46, on Wednesday (Jan. 9) in Eau Claire.

Sarah Bingea led UW-Eau Claire (8-8, 3-4 WIAC) to the win by totaling 22 points, six rebounds and two assists. The Blugolds also acquired 11 points and five rebounds from Morgan Rustad, six points and three rebounds from Leah Rempert and four points, four rebounds and five assists from Courtney Lewis.

Megan Wenig's (Sr. • Oshkosh) 20 points and four assists paced UW-Oshkosh (12-3, 4-2 WIAC), which hadn't lost since a 64-55 setback to UW-Stevens Point on Dec. 5. The Titans also received 14 points and nine rebounds from Katelyn Kuehl (So. • Fond du Lac) and four points and four rebounds from Heather Conroy (So. • Wisconsin Dells).

During the second half, the Titans trailed by as much as seven points. Kuehl then made two free throws to pull UW-Oshkosh within 48-46 with 1:41 remaining. The Titans wouldn't get any closer as they missed their final five shots of the game.

The Titans grabbed four offensive rebounds early to obtain a 10-4 lead. Following a three-point play by Wenig, Conroy scored an inside basket for the six-point cushion.

UW-Eau Claire came back with a 14-2 scoring run. Rustad tallied six straight points on two lay-ins and a jumper. A hoop in the paint from Bingea gave the Blugolds an 18-12 lead with 5:29 on the clock.

Kuehl tallied UW-Oshkosh's last six points before halftime to make the deficit 24-21.

The Blugolds scored eight unanswered points midway through the second stanza to go ahead for good. First, Rempert converted a three-point play. Nicole Slovensky then buried a triple 22 seconds later to put UW-Eau Claire on top, 40-33.

Wenig took over the UW-Oshkosh offense with eight straight points, including a pair of deep jumpers that made it a 42-39 contest with eight minutes to go.

UW-Oshkosh, which posted a 32-25 advantage on rebounds, shot just 32 percent (16-50) from the field. The Titans made all seven free throws while shooting 32 percent (7-22) from three-point land.

UW-Eau Claire shot 51 percent (22-43) from the field, including 55 percent (12-22) in the second half. The Titans came into the game allowing just 35 percent shooting for the season. The Blugolds also shot 13 percent (1-8) behind the arc and 70 percent (7-10) from the free throw stripe.

UW-Oshkosh welcomes UW-Stout to Kolf Sports Center on Saturday (Jan. 12).