OSHKOSH, Wis. – UW-Stout put together one of its most complete efforts of the season on Saturday night, erasing a double-digit halftime deficit and knocking off No. 16 UW-Oshkosh, 78–77, at the Kolf Sports Center.
After trailing by 12 at the break, the Blue Devils flipped the script in the second half with relentless pressure, timely shot-making, and clutch execution down the stretch to secure their third win over a ranked opponent this season.
UW-Oshkosh jumped out early behind hot perimeter shooting, building a 39–27 halftime advantage. Stout weathered the storm with key hustle plays, including a pair of first-half steals that led to transition buckets from AJ Uttech, keeping the deficit manageable despite the Titans' early run.
The momentum began to shift early in the second half. Nolan Stauffacher opened the half with a strong finish inside, sparking a surge that saw Stout chip away possession by possession. Domanyck Schwarzenberger drilled a corner three and followed it up with a coast-to-coast layup off a defensive rebound, trimming the margin to five.
Midway through the half, the Blue Devils' defense took over. Schwarzenberger jumped a passing lane for a steal and finish, then Collin Vick cleaned up multiple defensive possessions with rebounds that ignited the fast break. A Vick layup tied the game at 43-all, and moments later, Stout took its first lead on a pair of free throws from Schwarzenberger after another transition opportunity.
The teams traded blows over the final eight minutes. Uttech was a force attacking the paint, scoring through contact and converting at the line to help Stout push its lead to eight following a Wesley Mboga three. Oshkosh responded, cutting the deficit to one before Schwarzenberger buried another timely three to reclaim momentum.
Late in the game, Stout leaned on toughness and poise. Uttech finished through traffic to extend the lead, while Vick continued to control the glass on both ends. With under two minutes remaining, the Titans regained the lead at 77–75, setting the stage for a wild final sequence.
After a defensive stand, Vick secured the rebound and launched a full-court outlet to a streaking Stauffacher. As Stauffacher went up for what appeared to be a clear layup, he was taken down hard, resulting in a flagrant foul. Stout converted one of two free throws and retained possession, trailing by one with 18 seconds left.
On the ensuing possession, Uttech drove the lane and kicked to Schwarzenberger in the corner. He pump-faked his defender, attacked the paint, absorbed contact, drawing a foul. He calmly sank both free throws with five seconds remaining to give Stout the lead.
Oshkosh tried to isolate Schwarzenberger on the final possession, but he locked in defensively, forcing a contested logo three that missed as time expired, sealing the 78–77 victory for the Blue Devils.
By the Numbers
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AJ Uttech: 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting, attacked the paint all night
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Domanyck Schwarzenberger: 18 points, including the game-winning free throws
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Collin Vick: 15 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, steady on both ends
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Second-half shooting: Stout shot 58.1% from the field after halftime
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Points in the paint: Stout 42
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Bench points: Stout 25
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Largest deficit overcome: 12 points
Up Next
UW-Stout heads back on the road Wednesday night, traveling to Eau Claire for an 8 p.m. tip-off in a WIAC doubleheader. The Blue Devils will follow the women's game, which opens the evening.
