Titans Get The Better Of Pioneers

Taylor Schmidt scored 13 of her season-high 18 points in the first half as the nationally ranked UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team cruised to a 72-51 victory over UW-Platteville on Wednesday (Jan. 11) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh (13-1, 3-0 WIAC), ranked 13th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com, held a lead of at least 10 points for the final 29:16 of the contest.

The Titans, who secured their ninth consecutive win over the Pioneers, took the lead for good at 6-5 on a jumper by Schmidt with 7:47 left in the opening quarter.

Schmidt, who recorded her 11th double-figure scoring effort of the season, made 7 of 10 shots from the floor, including 3-for-3 from behind the 3-point line, in 18 minutes played.

Kylie Moe added 10 points in 16 minutes played off the UW-Oshkosh bench.

UW-Oshkosh reserves accounted for 35 points, 22 rebounds, nine assists and four steals as all 16 Titans received playing time.

UW-Oshkosh starters Eliza Campbell and Alex Richard combined for 14 points and 15 rebounds in limited action. Campbell tallied eight points, seven rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes played while Richard contributed six points and eight boards in 19 minutes.

Titan reserve Madeline Staples chipped in seven points and a career-best eight rebounds, and Isabella Samuels had seven points and four rebounds to go along with a career-high three assists and two steals. Chloe Pustina matched her career high with four assists.

UW-Oshkosh, which held its 12th opponent this season to fewer than 54 points, held considerable advantages over UW-Platteville in field goal percentage (.431 to .316), rebounds (46-34), assists (17-12) and turnovers (20-15). The Titans committed just five turnovers in the first half.

UW-Oshkosh scored 13 unanswered points to build a 17-5 lead on a basket by Moe en route to an 18-9 advantage after the opening period.

Schmidt drilled a 3-pointer to extend the Titan lead to 21-9, and UW-Oshkosh stayed in front by double digits for the remainder of the contest.

A string of 10 straight points provided UW-Oshkosh a 31-11 lead with just over three minutes to play in the second quarter, and a layup by Campbell gave the Titans a 38-17 advantage at intermission.

Both teams scored 15 points in the third quarter and 19 in the fourth. The Titans opened its largest lead of 30 points at 72-42 with 94 seconds remaining before the Pioneers capped the scoring with three 3-pointers during the game's final minute.

Miranda Meland paced UW-Platteville with 12 points – all on 3-pointers – and three assists in 11 minutes played off the bench.

Kassie Hansen added 11 points for the Pioneers, who also received six points and nine rebounds from Morgan Hartman. Allison Prestegaard tallied four points and a game-high 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

UW-Platteville (5-9, 1-2 WIAC) tied its season low with six offensive rebounds.

UW-Oshkosh remains at home to face UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Jan. 14).