UW-Oshkosh continued its best start in nine years with a 59-41 women's basketball triumph against Lakeland College on Tuesday (Nov. 26) in Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans improved to 6-0 largely thanks to a +20 rebounding margin. UW-Oshkosh played suffocating defense, forcing Lakeland to miss its first eight shots of the game.

Sarah Stecker tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds for her second career double-double. The Titans also used 13 points and five rebounds from Katelyn Kuehl, 11 points by Brittany Mirsberger and seven rebounds from Alex Richard.

The Muskies (1-2) couldn't make a field goal until 6:17 into play. Meanwhile, Kuehl scored a put-back and two free throws to take a 13-3 lead. Maggie Novak connected from downtown with 11:45 on the clock to make it 18-3.

Leah Eisner made consecutive lay-ups to pull Lakeland within 23-12. UW-Oshkosh was able to maintain its double-figure cushion with three straight jumpers by Taylor Schmidt, Stecker and Alicia Tollefson.

Kuehl added five more foul shots, as Tollefson buried a mid-range jumper, to give the Titans a 34-16 halftime advantage.

Battling in the paint, Stecker scored her team's opening five points of the second period. Mirsberger then hit a lay-up and a free throw to take the 46-25 lead with 12:18 remaining.

Stecker increased the margin to 54-28 with a lay-up and two free throws. The Titans finished 17-for-25 at the line for 68-percent accuracy.

UW-Oshkosh totaled 40 percent shooting from the field, including 2-for-13 success behind the three-point arc (15 percent). The Titans turned the ball over 15 times.

Lakeland compiled 34 percent shooting overall, while making 2-of-16 three-pointers (13 percent) and 9-of-11 free throws (82 percent). The Muskies committed 14 turnovers.

Eisner led the visitors with 14 points, five rebounds and five steals. Lakeland also had Lexie Greenheck grab eight rebounds.

UW-Oshkosh tips off league play against UW-Platteville on Dec. 4 in Kolf Sports Center.

By Jon Feyen, UW-Oshkosh Sports Information