OSHKOSH, Wis.- The UW-Oshkosh men's basketball dismantled the Blue Devils of UW-Stout on Saturday night (Feb. 22) at Kolf Sports Center, 75-51. The Titans evened the season series and secured the No. 6 seed in the upcoming WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver's) with the win.
 
Oshkosh (13-12, 4-10 WIAC) dominated in all three phases of shooting, burying 10-of-13 three-pointers (76.9 percent), 24-of-50 from the field (48 percent), and 17 of their 21 shots from the charity stripe (81 percent). Oshkosh also out rebounded the Blue Devils (8-17, 4-10 WIAC) pulling down 32 boards to Stout's 29.
 
Carter Thomas (Jr. • Neenah) led the way for the Titans Saturday as he notched a season high in 3-pointers made as he sank five of his six attempts and shot 7-of-10 from the field.  Thomas ended the night with 24 points, three rebounds, a career high four assists, and three steals (tied career high).  Joey LaChapell (Fr. • Appleton) added 13 points, eight coming from converted and-1 threes, on an efficient 3-of-5 from the field. LaChapell also pulled down three rebounds and dished out two assists. Brandon Beck (Fr. • Rockton, Ill.)  was the third Titan to score in double-digits as he added 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting and one three.
 
The Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead, as they produced a 12-7 run through the first five minutes of play. The Titans then erupted for a 5-minute, 19-1 run, led by Thomas who had 13 points in that time span. Stout then went on a 7-6 run to put the score a 32-20 with four minutes to go in the half. In the last four minutes, Stout ended the half with an 8-6 run. This was not enough as Oshkosh was still firmly in the driver's seat and went into the half up 38-28.
 
Oshkosh came out of the locker room red hot, going on a 17-4 run in the first five and-a-half minutes of the second half where Thomas scored eight points and LaChapell hit the first of his and-1 threes. The Titans kept up the pace with a 10-9 run to put the score at 65-41 with seven minutes to go in the contest. The Titans went on an 8-2 spurt to push their lead to 30 points over the Blue Devils. Oshkosh kept its foot on the gas and ended the contest with another 8-2 run to put away the Blue Devils, 75-51.
 
With tonight's win the Titans have earned themselves a WIAC Tournament berth and will face third-seeded UW-Eau Claire in the Blugolds' Sonnentag Center on Monday (Feb. 24) at 7 p.m.