OSHKOSH, Wis. – The Mount Mary University basketball team lost to host University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 67-19 tonight at the Kolf Sports Center. D3hoops.com's sixth-ranked Titans improve to 6-0 while the Blue Angels finish the first semester with a 1-5 record.
To begin the game, the Blue Angels forced three straight misses by the Titans including one block by Becky Onan (So./Grafton, Wis.). UWO got the first three offensive rebounds, and turned that into a 2-0 lead.
MMU continued to distract the Titans offense forcing two two-minute scoring droughts in the quarter. While slowing down the UWO offense, the Blue Angels had troubles getting their own offense started. With 2:19 left to go in the first quarter, Jess Runge (Jr./Freedom, Wis.) knocked in her first of two free throws to make it 14-1 Titans.
Down 21-1 to start the second frame, the Blue Angels went 2-of-15 from the field in the quarter. One of the buckets was a long jumper from newcomer Taylor Yordt (Fr./Omaha, Neb.). The Titans made 8-of-15 field goals in the frame and went into the locker room with a 40-5 lead.
The Blue Angels applied more pressure in the second half. In particular, the fourth quarter where MMU outscored the Titans 8-5 for the first 8:32. UWO finished on a 6-to-0 run to take the 67-19 victory.
"We knew we were walking into a buzz saw." Head Basketball Coach Marc Heidorf added, "But we needed this game to see where we are going. We needed to see WHY you sweat the 'little things': low dribbles, passing to the outside hand, constant communication, etc… because THAT is how you become CONSISTENTLY good."
Onan led the Blue Angels with eight points and led both teams with seven rebounds and three blocks. Teammate Jess Runge got the offense moving with a team leading three assists while she helped on the glass with five rebounds.
Marissa Selner led the game with 10 points for the Titans, going 5-of-6 from the field. As a team, UWO hit 46.8 percent of their field goals and scored 42 points from their bench.
Coach Heidorf was still pleased with what he saw in his team, "One thing we have now is heart and grit. We can build a foundation on that. No question."
Following tonight's game, the Blue Angels will have 31 days until their next matchup against Northland. MMU will host the Lumberjills Tues. Jan. 5 beginning at 5:30 pm. Live video and live stats will be available on mtmaryathletics.com.
