OSHKOSH, Wis.- The UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team lost to conference rival UW-Eau Claire at Kolf Sports Center on Wednesday (Jan. 8).

The Titans, receiving votes in this week's D3hoops.com poll, shot 34.5 percent (20-of-58) from the field and 25.9 percent (7-of-27) from three. The Titans also made 81.8 percent (9-of-11) of their free throws, which was higher than Eau Claire's 57.1 percent from the line, also recording 28 rebounds. The Titans out-blocked the Blugolds six to three, and out-stole them nine to four. The Titans had 22 points in the paint and 11 points off turnovers.

Joey LaChapell (Fr. • Appleton) led the Titans with 22 points and three steals, going 6-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-10 from three, and 6-of-7 from the line. Max Tutas (So. • Sheboygan) had nine rebounds for the Titans.

The Titans took the early lead with points from Jonah Rindfleisch (Sr. • Milwaukee), Joey LaChapell and Carter Thomas (Jr. • Neenah), however the Titans lost the lead on an eight-point run by the Blugolds. Eau Claire led 44-29 at halftime.

In the second half, the Titans scored 25 points to Eau Claire's 27 and decreased the Blugolds' edge to 11 points twice; at 54-43 on a LaChapell free throw with 11:37 remaining, and 56-45 when Reed Seckar (Jr. • Oshkosh) converted a layup with 8:07 to go. Despite Thomas and LaChapell both making 3-pointers for the final six points of the game, UW-Oshkosh fell to the Blugolds for the first time since Jan. 4, 2023.

Oshkosh moves to 9-4 (0-2 WIAC) on the season, while the Blugolds improved to 7-6 (1-1 WIAC). The Titans return Saturday (Jan. 11), as they travel to Platteville to take on the Pioneers, currently the top-ranked men's basketball program in NCAA Division III.