Box Score Oshkosh, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men's basketball team fell 67-61 in overtime at UW-Oshkosh Wednesday night at the Kolf Sports Center. The Eagles drop to 7-10 overall and 2-6 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) while the Titans improve to 11-6 overall and 5-3 in the conference.
In the first half, the Eagles took a 12-10 lead after
Trent Schmidt hit a three-pointer with 10:50 remaining. It was UW-L's first and only lead of the half, however, as UW-Oshkosh led by as many as eight points in the period. A
Cale Zuiker three-pointer with :34 left cut the Titans lead to 27-26 going into the half.
UW-Oshkosh started the second period with a 13-4 run to lead 40-30 with 15:44 remaining. UW-L chipped away at the deficit, and took the lead for the first time in the half at 55-54 after a
Jared Staege layup with :50 left. The Titans' Max Schebel hit one-of-two free throws on the ensuing possession to tie the game at 55-55 with :29 left.
Kenny Finco missed a jumper for the Eagles with :03 remaining and Schebel's heave at the buzzer was off the mark forcing overtime.
UW-Oshkosh broke the tie with 4:04 left in the overtime period on a layup by Schebel to lead 57-55, but Zuiker hit a three-pointer on the next possession to put UW-L back up 58-57 at the 3:52 mark. AJ Mueller's layup put the Titans back in front at 59-58 with 3:02 remaining and he was fouled by Zuiker on the play. Mueller missed the free throw, however, and UW-L went back on top 60-59 after Schmidt scored on a layup with 2:16 to play.
Neither team hit a field goal the rest of the overtime period, but the Titans were able to secure the win by converting all eight of their free throw attempts down the stretch while the Eagles managed only one-of-two in the final minutes.
UW-L shot 43.1% from the field, including 43.5% (10-of-23) from three-point range, and 46.7% (seven-of-15) at the free throw line. Zuiker led the Eagles with 18 points and five rebounds, while Staege added 13 and five rebounds.
Clint Rihn had five rebounds while Schmidt,
Ryan Kruser, and
Skylar Cameron each added two assists for UW-L.
UW-Oshkosh shot 44.2% from the field, including 30.8% (four-of-13) from three-point range, and 68.0% (17-of-25) at the line. Schebel came off the bench to lead four Titans players in double figures, scoring 22 and adding a team-high seven rebounds.
UW-L returns to action Saturday, January 24 hosting UW-River Falls at 3 p.m. in Mitchell Hall.
