WAYNE – For the second time in the past week and a half, the Wayne State College men’s and women’s basketball teams competed against a NSIC South Division opponent.
From Rice Auditorium, the Wildcats welcomed in Southwest Minnesota State University Thursday night.
The Wayne State men opened the night with their second win this week decided by three points with a 68-65 (corrected score) victory while the Wildcat women won in overtime, 69-65 (correction from previous post).
During the men’s contest, SMSU held a 30-29 lead at the break until Wayne State finished the second half with a 39-35 scoring advantage. WSC improved to 5-3 (2-0 NSIC) while the Mustangs saw their five-game winning streak snapped now at 5-2 (1-1 NSIC).
Wildcat double figure leaders came from redshirt freshman Justin Eagins with a career-high 21 points and three assists (6-10 FG/5-8 3PT/4-6 FT), junior Jordan Janssen recorded hi 40th career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds (6-13 FG/3-5 FT), freshman Jay Saunders scored 12 points and grabbed three steals (5-9 FG/1-3 3PT/1-2 FT) as freshman Alec Millender had 10 points (3-5 FG/1-2 3PT/3-4 FT).
Other scoring came from freshman Cody McCullough with four points and tied a career-high 12 rebounds (five offensive) as junior Nate Mohr and freshman Zach LaFave both scored three points. Senior Ben Dentlinger also appeared in his 107th career game and recorded his 138th career block.
Wayne State shot 23-53 (43.4%) from the field, 9-23 (39.1%) from the three point line and 13-21 (61.9%) at the foul line.
SMSU was led by Grant Kramer with 15 points, Kenny Byers poured in 12 points as Dunwa Omot and Sam Schwartz both tallied 11 points.
The Mustangs finished 24-56 (42.9%) from the floor, 14-28 (50%) from behind the arc and 3-5 (60%) at the charity stripe.
Wayne State scored 23 points off 17 SMSU turnovers while the Mustangs answered with 17 points off of 17 Wildcat turnovers. WSC won the battle in the paint (24-16), fast break points (8-7) and out rebounded SMSU, 35-27 (10-7 offensive) which led to 11 second chance points compared to seven by the Mustangs. Southwest Minnesota State did use 30 bench points (13 by WSC).
From the women’s game, Wayne State College held the early 17-12 first quarter lead before trailing by six early in the second quarter as SMSU used a 16-8 second to go up 28-25 at half. WSC then came storming out in the third quarter thanks to a 27-18 scoring margin to lead 52-46 entering the fourth. The Mustangs then outscored WSC, 15-9 to force OT tied at 61 all. In overtime, Wayne State outscored SMSU, 8-4 to win 69-65. The Wildcats improved to 5-1 (2-0 NSIC) while the Mustangs fell to 4-2 (1-1 NSIC)
Wildcat leaders were senior Kylie Hammer with a career-high 26 points posting her eighth career 20-point game, third time this season, a season-high four assists and three steals (8-14 FG/1-2 3PT/9-10 FT), junior Kassidy Pingel fouled out while recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three assists (3-10 FG/2-5- 3PT/4-6 FT) as junior Lauren Zacharias poured in 10 points (3-11 FG/2-5 3PT/2-2 FT).
Other scoring came from freshman Maya Fitzpatrick who fouled out with seven points, two blocks and season-high three steals; freshman Abby Kopecky had six points; junior Logan Hughes with four points as freshman Tate Norblade and sophomore Annie Guentzel both scored two points.
Wayne State shot 21-57 (36.8%) from the field, 7-20 (35%) from the three point line and 20-25 (80%) at the foul line.
SMSU was led by Sadie Stelter with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Abuk Akoi added 12 points as Jenna Borchers and Madison Gehloff both scored 11 points.
The Mustangs finished 21-65 (32.3%) from the floor, 1-21 (4.8%) from behind the arc and 22-27 (81.5%) at the charity stripe.
Wayne State College scored 15 points off 21 Mustang turnovers while SMSU scored 16 points off 22 Wildcat turnovers. SMSU won the battle in the paint (40-24), fast breaks (15-2) and bench (20-10). Southwest Minnesota State also out rebounded the ‘Cats, 40-35 (11-6 offensive) which led to 11 second chance points compared to eight by WSC.
The Wayne State College men and women will be off Friday before taking to the road on Saturday, December 4 at 3:30/5:30 p.m. WSC will visit Sioux Falls. Pregame show coverage on The City ‘KCTY’ 98.9/1590 and waynedailynews.com is set for 3 p.m. Saturday (men first/women second).
