UW-La Crosse Claims First Ever Women’s Basketball Tournament Title

**UW-La Crosse Sports Information contributed to this recap

OSHKOSH, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse won its first ever Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Basketball Tournament (presented by Culver’s) with a 52-49 triumph over UW-Oshkosh at Kolf Sports Center on Feb. 27.

The Eagles (18-6) secured the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division Iii championship. UW-La Crosse was appearing in the championship game for the first time in program archives.

UW-Oshkosh (24-3), making its third straight title game appearance, used a 7-0 run in the first quarter for a 12-4 lead with 2:11 left in the quarter. After UW-La Crosse’s Ali Sprangers hit a three-point to make it 12-7, the Titans scored seven of the final 10 points for a 19-10 advantage.

UW-Oshkosh led 23-20 with 5:29 left in the second quarter and scored six of the final eight points for a 29-22 lead at halftime.

UW-La Crosse’s Malia Nelson had a layup with 8;32 on the clock in the third quarter to cut the Eagles’ deficit to 31-26, however UW-Oshkosh scored seven unanswered points for their largest lead of the contest at 38-26 with 5:44 left in the quarter. UW-La Crosse pulled within 38-33 with 3:09 left, but the Titans extended their lead back to double digits (44-33). Jenna Welsch hit a three-pointer as the third quarter horn sounded to make it 44-36 heading into the fourth quarter.

UW-La Crosse opened the fourth quarter with a 10-1 run to take its first lead at 46-45 with 4:10 left. UW-Oshkosh’s Paige Seckar had a pair of free throws for a 47-46 advantage, but the Eagle’s Grace Knupp quickly countered with a layup with 1:47 remaining to make it 48-47. Nelson hit a three-pointer to put UW-La Crosse up 51-47 with :48 remaining. Seckar cut the lead in half with a layup, but Knupp hit one-of-two free throws for a 52-49 lead. UW-Oshkosh’s three-pointer at the buzzer would not go in.

Janke led UW-La Crosse with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, while Knupp added 11 points and Madisyn Kilboten had 10.

Paige Seckar led UW-Oshkosh with 12 points and 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the year, while Sarah Harwick had her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

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