SIOUX FALLS, SD – The 22-game NSIC schedule came to an end Saturday for the Wayne State College women’s and men’s basketball teams as both prepare for the quick turn-around of first round conference tourney action Wednesday.
From the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, WSC took on the top south division teams of Sioux Falls. The Cougar women secured the #1 seed last weekend while the USF men needed a win or an Upper Iowa loss to win the south division.
The Wayne State women fell to the #7 seed in the south (tied with SMSU for sixth) but lost the third tie-breaker with the Mustang women. WSC will visit #2 in the North, St. Cloud State at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26. The ‘Cats won at St. Cloud State 79-58 on February 7.
The Wildcat men remained at #6 (tied with CSP, won second tie-breaker over the Golden Bears) and will visit #3 in the North MSU Moorhead. The Dragons defeated WSC 82-71 on January 17 in Wayne.
In the women’s game, Sioux Falls outscored the ‘Cats by 10 in the final quarter to win 89-75. USF improves to 24-5 (17-5 NSIC) while Wayne State dropped their fifth straight falling to 16-12 (11-11 NSIC)
Brittany Bongartz recorded a career-high 32 points to go along with eight rebounds (8-15 FG/0-1 3PT/16-17 FT) while Erin Norling followed with 22 points and eight boards (8-18 FG/2-2 3PT/4-6 FT).
Other Wildcat scorers were Autumn Mlinar who fouled out with nine points, Halley Busse finished with eight points and Josey Ryan tallied four points. The Wayne State bench combined for 0 points on 0-4 shooting from the field.
Wayne State shot 24-59 (40.7%) from the floor, 3-13 (23.1%) from the three-point line and 24-31 (77.4%) from the foul line.
Five Cougars recorded double digit figures with Kaely Hummel postings 18 points followed by Augusta Thramer (fouled out) with 15 points. Kiara James fouled out with 14 points, Mariah Szymanski tacked on 12 points and Jessie Geer provided 10 bench points.
USF finished 29-64 (45.3%) from the field, 4-16 (25%) from behind the arc and 27-32 (84.4%) from the charity stripe.
During the men’s contest, Sioux Falls led the entire second half to hold off WSC 75-64 and be crowned South Division champions. USF snaps a two-game losing streak and are now 21-7 (17-5 NSIC) while the Wildcats dropped their sixth straight to now sit 10-21 (7-15) NSIC.
USF took a 32-28 lead into the locker room before holding a 42-36 edge in the second half.
Jordan Janssen recorded a team-high 19 points and eight rebounds for WSC (8-11 FG/3-4 FT). Al’Tavius Jackson added 15 points (5-7 FG/1-2 3PT/4-7 FT) followed by Nick Ferrarini with 10 points (4-8 FG/2-3 3PT).
Other scoring came from Nate Mohr with seven points, Henry Penner added five points while Ben Dentlinger (two blocks) and Nate Thayer both finished with four points.
WSC shot 25-46 (54.3%) from the field, 6-13 (46.2%) from the three-point line and 8-14 (57.1%) from the foul line.
Five Cougars poured in double figures led by Jack Thompson with 18 points. Devin Green tallied 13 points, Milan Surlic scored 12 points, Troy Houghton tacked on 11 points and Chase Grinde finished with 10 points.
The Cougars finished 29-58 (50%) from the floor, 9-21 (42.9%) from behind the arc and 8-12 (66.7%) at the charity stripe.
Both the Wayne State College women’s and men’s basketball teams will next open the NSIC/Sanford Health basketball tournament on Wednesday, February 26.
Women’s bracket:
(N1) Minnesota Duluth hosts (S8) Upper Iowa at 5:30 p.m.
(S4) Concordia-St. Paul hosts (N5) Northern State at 5:30 p.m.
(S2) Minnesota State-Mankato hosts (N7) Minnesota Crookston at 5:30 p.m.
(N3) University of Mary hosts (S6) Southwest Minnesota State at 6 p.m.
(S1) Sioux Falls hosts (N8) Minot State at 5:30 p.m.
(S5) Winona State hosts (N4) MSU Moorhead at 5:30 p.m.
(N2) St. Cloud State host (S7) Wayne State College at 6 p.m.
(S3) Augustana hosts (N6) Bemidji State at 5:30 p.m.
Men’s bracket:
(N1) Northern State hosts (S8) Southwest Minnesota State at 6 p.m.
(S4) Augustana hosts (N5) St. Cloud State at 7:30 p.m.
(S2) Upper Iowa hosts (N7) University of Mary at 6 p.m.
(N3) MSU Moorhead hosts (S6) Wayne State College at 6 p.m.
(S1) Sioux Falls hosts (N8) Minot State at 7:30 p.m.
(S5) Minnesota State-Mankato hosts (N4) Bemidji State at 7:30 p.m.
(N2) Minnesota Duluth hosts (S7) Concordia-St. Paul at 7:30 p.m.
(S3) Winona State hosts (N6) Minnesota Crookston at 7:30 p.m.