UW-Oshkosh (6-3) counted the first six points of second half and built a 44-33 lead before Aurora University (5-6) cut the Titans’ advantage to 54-50 with 13:52 to play. Andy Jahnke then sank back-to-back three-point baskets to ignite a 10-1 scoring run that would give UW-Oshkosh a 64-51 lead with 5:03 remaining in the contest. The Titans held off Aurora University the rest of the game by making 11 of their 16 free throw attempts, including four conversions by Chad Doedens and three by Jahnke.
UW-Oshkosh opened the game with a 15-4 scoring run, including three three-point baskets by Jahnke. The Titans extended their lead to 22-10 before the Spartans scored 12 unanswered points to tie the game at 22-22 with 6:32 left in the opening period. UW-Oshkosh closed the first half with a 16-11 scoring run to take a 38-33 lead at intermission.
Jahnke led all scorers with 27 points, including seven three-point baskets. UW-Oshkosh’s scoring also featured the 11 points of Jim Capelle, nine of Kerry Gibson and eight of Nathan Wesener. The Titans posted a 45-37 rebounding advantage as Gibson grabbed 11 rebounds and Wesener eight.
Aurora University had two double-figure scorers as Larry Welton tallied 22 points and Dusty Magee 12. Welton also collected a team-best nine rebounds.
UW-Oshkosh, ranked 25th in the NCAA Division III by D3hoops.com, shot 43.1 percent (22-51) from the field and 70 percent (21-30) from the free throw line. The Titans made 10 of their 23 three-point shots (43.5 percent).
Aurora University, which appeared in NCAA Division III postseason play a year ago, shot just 32.8 percent (22-67) from the field. The Spartans also shot 40.7 percent (11-27) behind the three-point line and 66.7 percent (8-12) from the charity stripe.