Titans, Pointers Meet For 100th Time
The longest women's basketball rivalry in WIAC history reaches a milestone when UW-Oshkosh hosts UW-Stevens Point for the 100th time on Saturday (Jan. 24) in Kolf Sports Center. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.
The Titans lead the series by a narrow 51-48 margin. The matchups have also been closely contested. UW-Stevens Point won the first contest, 49-48, during the 1972-73 season and the second game, 37-36, in the 1973-74 campaign. The Pointers also won the 99th meeting, 54-47, earlier this month (Jan. 10) in Stevens Point. The series has featured seven overtime games, and 10 or fewer points have decided 10 of the last 13 contests.
The series has seen long winning streaks by both programs. UW-Oshkosh had a run of 17 straight victories over UW-Stevens Point from Jan. 27, 1993, to Jan. 13, 2001. The Pointers strung together 10 in a row against the Titans from Feb. 26, 2008, to Dec. 5, 2012. UW-Oshkosh had a three-game winning streak snapped earlier this year.
The programs have combined to claim at least a share of 17 WIAC championships. The Titans own a league-high 11 conference titles, including seven captured in the 1990s. The Pointers have earned six league titles, including five since 2004. UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point shared the 2004 championship with 13-3 records.
The Titans and Pointers have combined to win nine of the 16 WIAC Tournaments. UW-Oshkosh secured the inaugural title in 1999 and last year's crown while UW-Stevens Point has won a league-best seven WIAC Tournaments, including a run of six consecutive from 2008-13.
UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point also own the most all-conference performers. The Titans own a league-best 54 all-league selections while the Pointers and UW-Whitewater follow with 49 apiece.
The symmetry of the programs extends beyond conference play. UW-Oshkosh has participated in 11 NCAA Division III postseason tournaments and produced a 23-10 record. UW-Stevens Point has a 23-9 mark in 10 NCAA postseason appearances. The Titans have advanced to the Final Four twice, including in 1996 when they won the national championship. The Pointers' three Final Four appearances feature national titles won in 1987 and 2002. UW-Oshkosh advanced to the third round of last year's NCAA tournament, while UW-Stevens Point made its last NCAA postseason appearance in 2013.
The rivalry has seen five head coaches at both UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point. The current coaches list high among WIAC leaders. Third-year UW-Oshkosh coach Brad Fischer ranks eighth in conference history with a .819 (59-13) winning percentage. UW-Stevens Point coach Shirley Egner, currently in her 26th season, is the WIAC all-time leader with 483 victories (483-207).
The Titans (14-3, 6-2 WIAC) go into the centennial contest tied atop the league standings with UW-Eau Claire and UW-Superior. The Pointers (9-8, 4-4 WIAC) are tied for fourth place with UW-Platteville.
The teams enter the game with the top two scoring defenses in the WIAC. UW-Oshkosh ranks first by allowing 53.9 points per game while UW-Stevens Point lists second at 55.7.
UW-Oshkosh, winners of 32 of its last 41 WIAC games, are led by Taylor Schmidt's scoring average of 11.2 points per game. Kaitlyn Jacobs's 10.2 points per contest paces UW-Stevens Point, which won its last game, 67-48, over two-time defending conference champion and 2014 Final Four participant UW-Whitewater on Wednesday (Jan. 21).