Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wayne State 62 Nemwan Univ. 58 2 OT
Wayne State College built a 20-point first half lead, then had to rally in overtime to defeat Newman University 62-58 in double overtime in non-conference women's basketball played Saturday afternoon in Wichita, Kansas. The Wildcats are now 2-1 on the young season while the host Jets fall to 1-2.
The Wildcats used 60 percent field goal shooting in the first half (15 of 25) to build a 20-point lead at 30-10 with 7:24 left in the half. However, the Wildcats would make just six baskets the rest of the game and have to rally for the 62-58 double overtime win in the first ever meeting between the two schools.
WSC held a 36-24 lead at halftime and was up 40-26 with 16:52 to go, but then went scoreless for more than 7:30 minutes until JulieAnn Wagner made a free throw with 9:04 to play putting WSC in front 41-38. Later in the half, WSC still held a 51-46 lead with 3:21 left, but didn't score the rest of the way and Newman tied the score at 51-51 to send the game into overtime.
In the first overtime, both teams only scored three points and the Wildcats had three shots to win in the final 1:00 but could not convert sending the game to a second overtime. Clare Duwelius drained a three pointer followed by two Kati Jo Christensen free throws to give WSC a 59-54 lead. The host Jets pulled within two points late, but freshman guard Ali Scwartzwald sealed the win with a pair of free throws with nine seconds left to make the final score 62-58.
Senior guard Laquisha Cook led the Wildcats in scoring with 19 points followed by Kati Jo Christensen with 11. WSC finished the game making 21 of 59 shots from the field (35.6 percent) after starting the game 15 of 25 in the first half. The Wildcats were 6 of 17 from the three point line and 14 of 22 at the charity stripe.
Melissa Brockleman had nine points and 10 rebounds to lead Newman University with Rainey Nickel also adding nine points. The Jets made 23 of 67 shots from the field for 34.3 percent, including 4 of 12 three pointers. Newman was 8 of 13 at the free throw line. Both teams had 28 turnovers in the game while Newman held a 51-41 advantage in rebounding over the Wildcats. Kati Jo Christensen and JulieAnn Wagner topped WSC in rebounds with eight apiece.
Wayne State will play their first home game of the season Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. when the Wildcats host #22 and #25 Nebraska-Kearney at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.