Tony Mane scored at least 30 points for the fourth time in five games to lead UW-La Crosse past the UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team, 71-66, on Wednesday (Feb. 9) in Kolf Sports Center.
Mane, who broke 27 points for the 10th time this season, nailed 10-of-15 field goals and 9-of-11 at the foul line to total 30 points. His accuracy helped the Eagles (13-10/8-6 WIAC) shoot better than 51 percent for their fourth straight game – all wins.
Lucas Morrissey recorded a dunk to put the Eagles ahead, 41-33. UW-Oshkosh (10-12/5-9 WIAC) then rallied with 11 unanswered points to guarantee an exciting finish. John Flanigan (Jr. • Oshkosh) dropped in the final two buckets of the run to gain a 44-41 lead with 11:46 on the clock.
UW-La Crosse took its final advantage at 48-45 when Mane swished a three-pointer with 9:55 to play. From there, Morrissey added a jumper, a lay-up and two free throws to make it 59-52. The second half contained 36 free throws, with the two teams trading foul shots during the closing minutes.
Brian Washington (So. • Waukesha) got things off to a good start when he dunked home two points for a 5-4 lead. The Eagles took off from there, marking 10 straight points. Mane knocked down three jump shots in less than three minutes to put UW-La Crosse ahead, 14-5, with 12:13 on the clock.
UW-Oshkosh kept the margin in single digits as six different players scored a field goal. Trailing by seven points, the Titans went on a 10-2 scoring run to go in front. T.J. Kellner (So. • Sheboygan) converted a traditional three-point play and then buried a deep jumper to lead, 26-25.
Four late points by Jordan Rumpel allowed UW-La Crosse to take a 29-28 advantage to halftime. The Eagles kept their momentum after the break, posting eight of the first 10 points. Mane accounted for eight points in just 3:08 to give his squad a 39-33 cushion with 16:34 remaining.
Rumpel tallied 17 points and paced UW-La Crosse with seven rebounds. Morrissey added 14 points for the Eagles, who made a season-low two three-pointers (17 percent). UW-La Crosse also totaled 19-of-25 free throw shooting (76 percent) and eight turnovers.
Flanigan topped the Titans with 14 points and eight rebounds. Cory Wittwer (Sr. • Fall Creek) followed with 13 points and four assists, as Kellner totaled 12 points and Nate Wara (So. • Oshkosh) nine points, seven rebounds and four steals.
UW-Oshkosh stepped up its accuracy in the second half to finish with 44 percent shooting overall (25-57). The Titans connected on 39 percent from downtown (5-13), to go along with 11-of-15 at the charity stripe (73 percent). They also turned the ball over eight times while taking the rebounding category, 31-30.
The Titans have their home finale when they welcome UW-Superior to Kolf Sports Center on Saturday (Feb. 12).