Wisconsin-Oshkosh Outlasts Wittenberg In Holiday Classic Finale

Madi Barnett Wittenberg Basketball
Madi Barnett and the Tigers found the driving lanes frequently clogged against Wisconsin-Oshkosh. | Photo by Pam Klopfer

Springfield, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the game's opening minutes, but Wisconsin-Oshkosh bounced back quickly to overtake the Tigers before the end of the first quarter. From that point, the Titans slowly stretched their lead until securing the final margin of victory, 68-55, in the final game of the 2023 Wittenberg Holiday Classic.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 6-3, a day after Wittenberg battled past Miami University-Hamilton. Wisconsin-Oshkosh won for the second straight day in the Holiday Classic to improve to 7-2.

The Tigers' fast start was triggered by four points each on drives into the lane from Taryn Cash (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) and Jazmyn Gaines-Burns (Bladensburg, Maryland/Elizabeth Seton) and a jumper from Kelsey Ragan (Whitehouse, Ohio/Anthony Wayne). But the Titans answered quickly, combining a stifling defensive effort with a balanced offense to take a commanding 14-point lead into the locker room at halftime, a lead they maintained throughout the final 20 minutes.

Riane Burton (Houston, Texas/Cypress Ranch) came off the bench to record her fourth straight double-double, this time pouring in 16 points to go along with 14 rebounds in 29 minutes. Her scoring total was matched by Gaines-Burns, while Cash finished with nine points, five assists, and three steals.

As a team, Wittenberg shot 40 percent from the field, compared to 37.7 percent for the Titans. Wisconsin-Oshkosh hit seven more three-pointers in the game and four more free throws as well.