WAYNE – Two teams among the top of the NSIC South Division were in action Friday evening as Wayne State College hosted the University of Sioux Falls Cougars.
From Rice Auditorium on the campus of Wayne State College, WSC welcomed in #22 USF.
After the USF men went up by 16 points at the break, Wayne State came storming back late but fell short, 70-68. The Cougars are now 6-1 (4-1 NSIC) while the ‘Cats fell to 6-5 (6-3 NSIC).
WSC used a 10-point scoring run late to take a three-point lead where there were four lead changes in the finals few minutes.
Wayne State was led by junior Nate Mohr with 17 points (6-11 FG/2-4 3PT/3-4 FT) while fellow junior Jordan Janssen added 12 points, nine boards, five assists and two blocks (6-12 FG/0-1 FT). Freshman Jay Saunders had 11 points (5-8 FG/1-2 3PT) as did redshirt freshman Justin Eagins with 11 points (4-7 FG/3-6 3PT).
Other scoring came from senior Ben Dentlinger and freshman Cody McCullough (six boards) with six points each, freshman Alec Millender tacked on four points as junior Nate Thayer finished with a point.
WSC shot 29-54 (53.7%) from the field, 6-13 (46.2%) from the three-point line and 4-7 (57.1%) at the foul line.
Tessy Pal paced Sioux Falls with 21 points and 15 rebounds while Jack Thompson poured in 16 points and Austin Slater finished with 10 points.
USF finished 27-59 (45.8%) from the floor, 7-18 (38.9%) from behind the arc and 9-12 (75%) from the charity stripe.
1st 2nd Final:
40 30 70 – USF
24 44 68 – WSC
The Wayne State College men will close out their regular season home schedule with #22 Sioux Falls on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Pregame coverage is set for 2 p.m. on Big Red Country ‘KTCH’ 104.9 and waynedailynews.com.