UW-La Crosse 68, UW-Oshkosh 65

La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men's basketball team improved to 15-8 overall and 7-7 in the WIAC with a 68-65 victory over UW-Oshkosh Wednesday night in Mitchell Hall. The Titans fall to 9-13 overall and 4-10 in the conference. With the victory, UW-L sweeps the season series with UW-Oshkosh.

The Eagles' bench outscored the Titans' bench 26-5. Andy Merklein finished with a season-high 13 points and also had seven rebounds off the bench while Cory Degner added eight points. Tony Mane led UW-L with 23 points, finishing nine-of-22 from the field, including four-of-seven from three-point range. He made his only free throw attempt.

UW-L made its last eight field goals attempts in the game.

UW-Oshkosh led 6-5 with 17:11 left in the first half when it went on a 8-1 run to take a 14-6 advantage. The Titans led 29-16 with 4:29 remaining before the Eagles cut the lead to 34-28 at halftime.

The Titans led 49-39 with 10:57 remaining before the Eagles forced a 55-55 tie with 4:15 left in the game. UW-L took its first lead since 3-2 with a Degner jumper for a 57-55 lead with 3:29 remaining. The Eagles led 61-57 with 2:17 remaining, but the Titans cut the margin to 63-62 with 1:22 left after a Greg Schrimpf three-pointer.

Merklein gave UW-L a three-point lead with a layup and after D.J. Marsh missed a jumper for UW-Oshkosh, Austin Scott made two free throws with :41 left and a 67-62 lead. Cory Wittwer hit a three-point field goal for the Titans with :25 left and Scott hit one-of-two free throws with :22 remaining to make it 68-65. Wittwer missed a potential game-tying three with :14 left, but UW-Oshkosh grabbed the rebound and called a timeout with :03 remaining. Schrimpf missed a three-point attempt with :01 left and UW-L secured the win.

UW-L shot 48.2% from the field, including 36.4% (four-of-11) from three-point range. The Eagles shot 76.9% (10-of-13) at the line.

Marsh led UW-Oshkosh with 22 points while Wittwer and John Flanigan each finished with 14. Brian Washington had a team-high six rebounds. Washington scored seven points.

The Titans shot 45.6% from the field, including 28.6% (six-of-21) from three-point range, and 77.8% (seven-of-nine) at the line.

UW-L returns to action Wednesday, Feb. 17 at UW-River Falls at 7:05 p.m.