UW-Oshkosh won at Stevens Point for the first time in nine years with a 57-53 triumph over the Pointers on Wednesday (Feb. 19).
The Titans (21-3/12-3 WIAC), ranked 16th by D3hoops.com, continued their best season since 1999. UW-Oshkosh will be the second seed and host a WIAC Tournament game on Feb. 27.
UW-Oshkosh forced six turnovers while holding the Pointers scoreless for the opening 6:37. Sarah Stecker counted the first four points of the night before Katelyn Kuehl nailed a jumper to take the 6-0 lead.
Over the next four minutes, UW-Stevens Point (16-8/9-6 WIAC) posted an 8-0 run to go ahead. The Titans responded with eight straight points, including two Stecker free throws to lead 14-8 with 8:25 on the clock.
Myranda Tyler made three buckets late in the half to pull the Pointers closer. A pair of foul shots by Kaitlyn Jacobs made it 23-22, but UW-Oshkosh remained on top.
Leading by five at halftime, Kuehl hit a put-back early in the second period for a 30-23 advantage. She then assisted on Ashley Neustifter's triple that put the Titans in front, 35-29, with 16:37 remaining.
UW-Stevens Point had two more rallies. Tyler cut the deficit to 42-40 when she sank two free throws with 10:43 left. UW-Oshkosh answered with a 7-0 spurt that featured five points by Stecker.
Alyssa Olp's foul shot made it a 56-53 score with 28 seconds to go, but Taylor Schmidt sealed the victory with her free throw moments later.
Stecker led the Titans with 11 points and nine rebounds. Kuehl totaled eight points and eight boards, while Neustifter marked nine points and three assists. Maggie Novak came off the bench to score eight points.
Both teams shot 39 percent overall (19-49). The Titans hit 5-of-14 three-pointers (36 percent) and 14-of-26 free throws (54 percent). UW-Stevens Point connected on just 1-of-6 from long range (17 percent) and 14-of-24 at the foul line (58 percent).
The Pointers received 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks from Tyler. Olp also tallied 14 points, as Allie Miceli pulled down seven rebounds.
UW-Oshkosh concludes the regular season against UW-Superior on Saturday (Feb. 22) in Kolf Sports Center.
By Jon Feyen, UW-Oshkosh Sports Information