RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) - The Falcons almost gave UW-Oshkosh more than they could handle on Saturday night, pushing the WIAC-leading Titans throughout the game before falling 80-69 at Page Arena. UW-River Falls hung on after a furious run from the defending national runner-ups in the final minutes of the half gave the Titans a lead at the break. UWRF fought back to take a 50-49 lead after a layup from Jack Stensgard to put them up with 12 minutes remaining, but it would be the last time they held a lead.

UWRF caught the Titans off guard as the game began, storming out to an 11-2 lead before the Titans burned their first timeout. Five different Falcons scored in those opening six minutes, and a two-handed dunk from Julian Jackson pushed the lead to 13 points with nine minutes remaining in the half. Clay Seifert had a productive first half by grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists to swing the momentum in the Falcons' favor. The Titans only started 1-8 from the field, but they found their shooting stroke after facing the 13-point deficit. The Titans made five consecutive three-pointers in a two-minute span to tie the game at 22-22. Adam Fravert dropped in 17 points in the first half to give the Titans a 39-35 lead at halftime, and UW-Oshkosh finished the half shooting 8-16 from beyond the arc. That was twice the amount the Falcons made in the entire game.

The game was tied up within two minutes in the second half when Seifert drove to the basket to make it a 39-39 game. A series of shots from Stensgard and a three-pointer from Jalen Greenlee gave the Falcons their 50-49 lead, but the Titans used three's from David Vlotho and Brett Wittchow to go on an 11-2 run. Austin Heidecker took over to get the game back within two points, but UWRF couldn't get the game back within one possession in the closing minutes. Ben Boots made all eight of his free throws in the second half, and UW-Oshkosh shot well enough from the line to close out the game. 

Fravert finished with 24 points, three blocks and three steals, while Wittchow added 18 points. The Titans are now 18-1 and undefeated in WIAC play, aided by their 47 percent shooting from beyond the arc on Saturday. The Falcons had a 40-20 advantage on points in the paint, but the Titans hit nine more three-pointers and 12 more free throws. 

Heidecker led the Falcons with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Stensgard added 17 points on an efficient 7-11 shooting. Ross Ingersoll also had an important role off the bench by scoring 13 points and hitting two three's. The Falcons are now 8-11 overall and 1-7 in the WIAC. They will take on last-place UW-Stout on Wednesday in Menomonie at 7 p.m.