UW-Oshkosh clinched the second seed in the WIAC Tournament with a 55-40 women's basketball victory at UW-Stout on Saturday (Feb. 16) in Menomonie.

The Titans (20-5/12-4 WIAC) will host a semifinal game of the league tournament on Friday (Feb. 22) in Kolf Sports Center. Their opponent will be either UW-Stevens Point, UW-Superior or UW-River Falls, depending on the results from Wednesday (Feb. 20).

UW-Oshkosh finished with 11 more conference wins than last season for the greatest improvement in WIAC history. The previous record was seven by UW-Whitewater (1993, 1999) and UW-Stevens Point (1996).

Megan Wenig led the way with 18 points and three of the Titans' season-high eight triples. Katelyn Kuehl added two three-pointers to go with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The contest was tied 7-7 after six minutes of play. UW-Oshkosh then went on a 22-7 run to take control. The Titans had five consecutive baskets come from behind the arc, including Kuehl's three-pointer that made it 23-12. Sarah Stecker made two straight jumpers to put her team up, 29-14, with 2:51 on the clock.

Katelynne Folkers sank lay-ups just before and after halftime to pull UW-Stout within 35-21. The Blue Devils (10-15/4-12 WIAC) continued to rally with 11 answered points, as Brea Boomer hit a mid-range shot to make it 41-32.

UW-Oshkosh made sure it didn't get any closer with three-point shots by Wenig and Ashley Neustifter. Wenig and Heather Conroy each made three late free throws to ice the game.

Katie Kitzke upped her career scoring total to 1,139 – which ranks 10th in program history.

The Titans finished with 8-of-16 accuracy (50 percent) from downtown on their way to 37 percent overall shooting (17-46). UW-Oshkosh ranks second nationally in free throw shooting, but struggled with 62 percent marksmanship today (13-21).

UW-Oshkosh grabbed 39 rebounds, compared to the Blue Devils' total of 31.

Sami Schoeder led UW-Stout with 12 points, as Boomer tacked on 10. Kyleigh Hebert contributed team-highs of six rebounds and three steals.

The Blue Devils had their two lowest scoring outputs of the year against the Titans. UW-Stout managed 34 percent shooting (17-50) from the field, 27 percent (3-11) from long range and 33 percent at the foul line (3-9).

By Jon Feyen, UW-Oshkosh Sports Information