St. Norbert College went on a 22-4 scoring run in the second half to clinch its 65-50 men's basketball win over UW-Oshkosh on Tuesday (Nov. 15) in De Pere. The contest was the season opener for both teams.

For an eight-minute stretch in the closing period, UW-Oshkosh (0-1) missed 8-of-10 shots and committed six turnovers. The Green Knights (1-0) turned their 30-29 deficit into a 51-34 lead during that span. Brandon Gries and Paul Appleton each scored 17 points for St. Norbert College, a NCAA Division III postseason participant in each of the past two seasons.

The Green Knights had control of the game early, gaining an 11-4 cushion after five minutes of play. Appleton knocked down a pair of three-pointers, while Andrew Schwoerer recorded two free throws and a lay-up.

John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh) helped the Titans claw back with two jump shots and two free throws. The comeback was complete when Greg Schrimpf (Sr. • Manitowoc) drained a three-point shot to make it 18-18 with four minutes on the clock. The two squads went to intermission tied at 25.

St. Norbert College's crucial stretch began with Garrett Thorn's lay-in for a 31-30 advantage. Mitchell Cloghessy then posted three baskets in a two-minute span to lead, 44-32. Appleton contributed a hoop in the paint and from behind the arc, earning a 51-34 margin with 7:53 left.

The Green Knights drained 10 free throws in the last 3:47 to seal the game. While Gries got 11 of his points at the foul line, Schwoerer nailed 5-of-6 field goals for 13 points. St. Norbert totaled 41.7 percent (20-48) shooting from the field overall, despite 3-of-19 accuracy (15.8 percent) from long range. The Green Knights connected on 22-of-29 free throws (75.9 percent) and booked a 42-25 rebounding edge.

Also struggling behind the arc (4-of-21 for 19 percent), the Titans were better at the charity stripe with 90.9 percent (10-11) marksmanship. Flanigan topped the squad with 18 points and 10 rebounds, as Jade Royston (So. • Wisconsin Dells) marked 11 points. UW-Oshkosh shot 34 percent (18-53) from the field and committed 14 turnovers.

UW-Oshkosh hosts second-ranked Augustana College (Ill.) next Tuesday (Nov. 22) in Kolf Sports Center.