MENOMONIE (January 5, 2019) - UW-Stout gave sixth-ranked UW-Oshkosh all they could handle, but the Titans managed to squeak out a two-point 77-75 win over the Blue Devils on Dewey Mintz Court in Johnson Fieldhouse.
The Blue Devils (6-7, 0-2 WIAC) lead throughout the entire first half, taking a 44-41 lead into the locker room. The Titans (12-1, 2-0 WIAC) took their first lead of the game at 18:13 in the second half, building to as much as a four point lead before Stout grabbed the lead back at 12:50, 56-53, on a 3-pointer by Braden Walbeck.
Walbeck's 3-pointer started a 16-7 run to give Stout a nine-point, 69-60 lead at 6:43. But the Titans chipped away at the lead and preseason All-American Ben Boots provided much of the chipping. Boots was fouled on a 3-point attempt and sank all three charity shots with 1:30 left to pull the Titans to within 75-73.
A minute later, Boots gave the Titans their first lead in more than 12 minutes, hitting a 3-pointer from deep in the corner for a 76-75 lead with 29.5 seconds remaining. The Blue Devils had opportunities to tie or pull ahead, but the lid was on the bucket for Stout as they missed two free throw attempts.
Boots was fouled with 17 seconds remaining and he made the front end and Stout's Jon Ciriacks pulled down the rebound from the missed shot, and a missed 3-pointer and a turnover sealed the win for the Titans.
Boots led all scorers withe 31 points, hitting 10 of 17 shots from the floor, including 6 of 12 from beyond the arc. Connor Duax added 15 and Jack Flynn 12 for the Titans. Oshkosh held a huge lead off the glass, pulling down 41 rebounds to Stout's 24. The Blue Devils managed only three offensive rebounds.
Stout was led by Keefe with 22 points. Ciriacks finished with 13, Zach Dahl with 11 and Kyle Williamscame off the bench to score 10. The free throw line failed the Blue Devils, making only 3 of 7 shots, while the Titans dropped in 14 of 18.
Oshkosh shot 45 percent for the game (27-60) from the floor, 29 percent from 3-point range (9-31) and 77.8 percent from the line. Stout hit 51.7 percent (31-60) from the floor, 41.7 percent (10-24) from 3-point range and 42.9 percent from the line.
Stout will travel to UW-Whitewater, Wednesday, Jan. 9, then return home to host UW-Platteville, Saturday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. for Community Days. No admission will be charged for the Platteville game.