Danielle Frank totaled 21 points and 19 rebounds as UW-La Crosse didn't allow a field goal in overtime for a 73-68 win against the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team on Wednesday (Jan. 19) in Kolf Sports Center.
The Titans (9-8/4-4 WIAC) shot 59 percent during the second half to overcome an 18-point deficit and force the extra session. In overtime, the Eagles outscored UW-Oshkosh, 6-1, as the Titans went 0-for-9 from the field.
UW-La Crosse (13-4/6-2 WIAC) used hoops from Frank and Lindsey Litrenta to go up, 71-67, with 2:44 on the overtime clock. Melissa Lang and Kassie Robinson each tacked on a free throw for the final margin. The Eagles benefited from a 22-8 advantage in points at the foul line.
Katie Kitzke (So. • South Milwaukee) shot out of the gate, nailing two three-pointers in the first two minutes. A jumper by Kelsey Myklebust (Jr. • Wisconsin Dells) then stretched UW-Oshkosh's lead to 13-5. The Eagles counted just two field goals during the opening seven minutes of play.
The next round of momentum belonged to UW-La Crosse, which posted a 10-1 scoring spurt. Robinson sank the streak's first two buckets before Melissa Lang hit a jumper and a three-point shot. Taylor Larson tacked on a triple before the buzzer to put the Eagles ahead, 28-22 at intermission.
The Titans got within 30-25 when Megan Wenig (So. • Oshkosh) nailed a deep jumper. After that, the Eagles outscored UW-Oshkosh, 18-8, in a span of seven minutes. Robinson booked a lay-up and six consecutive free throws to go ahead, 46-32. The lead reached its apex (56-38) at the 8:22 mark when Litrenta splashed a jumper.
Wenig, who hit 4-of-5 three-point attempts, drained two in pulling the Titans within 61-53. Shelby Churchill (Sr. • Sheboygan) took the reins from there, booking two free throws, a three-ball and a steal. Her theft with 31 seconds left created a lay-up and brought UW-Oshkosh to just two points down.
Michelle Boeder (Sr. • Oshkosh) recorded another steal three seconds later, allowing Churchill's lay-in to tie the score at 65 with 18 seconds left. The Eagles' Larson and the Titans' Myklebust traded two free throws in the closing moments to send the game to overtime deadlocked at 67.
UW-Oshkosh got a strong 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists from Churchill. Myklebust contributed 15 points, along with 14 points and seven rebounds by Wenig. Kitzke added 11 points and five assists for the Titans, who shot 50 percent from deep (8-16).
Robinson recorded 15 points and Dana Churchill 10 rebounds for the Eagles. UW-La Crosse, which shot 43 percent from the field (24-56) and 27 percent from long range (3-11), also used 13 points and five assists by Larson. The Eagles took the rebounding category, 40-37, while holding UW-Oshkosh to 38 percent accuracy overall (26-68).
The Titans take on eighth-ranked UW-Stevens Point on Saturday (Jan. 22) at Kolf Sports Center.