Katie Kitzke's three-pointer with three seconds left gave the UW-Oshkosh women's basketball team a stunning 56-53 victory over nationally ranked UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday (Feb. 6) in Kolf Sports Center. The two-time defending WIAC champion Pointers entered the contest ranked 16th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com.
UW-Oshkosh (18-4/10-3 WIAC) took a 51-49 lead on a free throw by Ashley Neustifter with 1:37 left. Following two foul shots by UW-Stevens Point's Sam Barber with 1:17 remaining, UW-Oshkosh regained the lead on a short jumper by Sarah Stecker with 49 seconds to go.
UW-Stevens Point (18-5/10-4 WIAC), which hadn't lost to UW-Oshkosh since the 2007-08 season, worked through its offensive set and tied the score at 53 on a layup by Myranda Tyler with 0:26 on the clock. The Titans then ran off 23 seconds for Kitzke, who swished her game-winning triple from about 27 feet.
UW-Oshkosh overcame a 31-22 halftime deficit with a 12-2 scoring run to open the second period. The Titans eventually built a 42-38 lead with 11:21 remaining, but UW-Stevens Point tallied six of the next seven points to take a 44-43 advantage with 9:15 left. UW-Stevens Point tied the score at 47 on a free throw by Liz Althoff, but UW-Oshkosh's Katelyn Kuehl broke the deadlock on a three-point play with 4:45 remaining.
Kitzke gave UW-Oshkosh a 4-0 lead with a pair jumpers in the first 74 seconds of action. UW-Stevens Point then scored the next nine points to take a 9-4 lead with 14:45 on the clock. UW-Oshkosh pulled to within 17-16, but the Pointers ended the first half with a 14-6 scoring run.
Kitzke scored 14 points to lead UW-Oshkosh. The Titans also received 10 points, five rebounds and three steals from Heather Conroy, eight points and six rebounds from Brittany Mirsberger and seven points, seven rebounds and three steals from Stecker.
Barber totaled 24 points, 14 rebounds and five steals to lead UW-Stevens Point. Tyler contributed 10 points, six rebounds and five blocks, while Alyssa Olp added eight points, four steals and two rebounds.
UW-Oshkosh shot 40 percent (24-60) from the field and 56 percent (5-9) from the free throw line. The Titans made 3-of-11 three-pointers (27 percent) while collecting 35 rebounds. UW-Oshkosh had 19 turnovers.
UW-Stevens Point converted 22-of-52 shots (42 percent) from the field and 6-of-8 tosses (75 percent) from the free throw stripe. The Pointers made 3-of-9 tries from long range (33 percent) while grabbing 34 rebounds and committing 21 turnovers.