Titans Shoot Down Bears To Reach NCAA Sweet Sixteen

UW-Oshkosh shot 64 percent from three-point range to capture a 72-66 win over Washington University (Mo.) in the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship on Saturday (March 8) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans (26-3) will face UW-Whitewater (24-4) on Friday (March 14) at a site to be announced. UW-Oshkosh's last trip to the Sweet Sixteen came during 1999.

Alicia Tollefson buried 4-of-5 three-pointers, while Morgan Kokta sank all three of her long-range attempts. The Titans made 9-of-14 triples on their way to 56 percent shooting from the field (22-39).

Washington University (24-3), ranked fifth by D3hoops.com, concluded its 25th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Bears own all-time records with five national titles and 10 Final Fours.

UW-Oshkosh went ahead, 6-2, with a pair of free throws by Ashley Neustifter. Washington then came back to tie the score at 6, 11 and 13.

Leading 21-19, the Titans counted 14 unanswered points while holding the Bears scoreless for nearly six minutes. Kokta opened the run with a three-pointer. UW-Oshkosh hit six straight shots, with Neustifter's jumper gaining a 30-19 lead. Tollefson splashed a triple with 2:20 on the clock that made it 35-19.

The final six points of the half belonged to the Bears. Jordan Thompson scored four in a row to cut the deficit to 35-25 at intermission.

Washington continued to chip away during the second period, pulling within 35-29 on a lay-in by Maddy Scheppers. With 12:48 remaining, Melissa Gilkey connected on a three-pointer to trim the margin to 46-43.

UW-Oshkosh saw its lead diminish to 51-50 with 10 minutes left. Tollefson and Kokta then buried back-to-back triples to regain the momentum. Tollefson drained another three-ball minutes later to take a 60-54 lead with six minutes to go.

During the last 1:34, Taylor Schmidt sank five free throws to ice the game. UW-Oshkosh finished 19-for-23 at the charity stripe (83 percent).

Seven different Titans tallied at least seven points. Tollefson paced the squad with a career-high 14, while Kokta had 13 and Neustifter 10. Katelyn Kuehl compiled nine rebounds, eight points and three blocks.

UW-Oshkosh recorded an assist on 20 of its 22 field goals.

Gilkey finished with game-highs of 21 points and nine boards. The Bears also received 13 points from Jordan Rettig and 10 from Thompson.

Washington shot 43 percent overall (26-61), including 42 percent (5-12) behind the arc, and 75 percent at the foul line (9-12).

The Bears were ranked fourth nationally in rebounding, but the Titans came away with a 31-27 victory on the glass.

By Jon Feyen