Wayne State 83 Dakota State 61

            The Wayne State College women's basketball team defeated Dakota State 83-61 Saturday afternoon at Rice Auditorium in Wayne, America. Senior Kati Jo Christensen (Audubon, Iowa) scored a game high 18 points to lead the Wildcats. The victory makes WSC 8-1 on the season and the loss drops Dakota State to 4-7 on the season.

            The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead in the first half, Wayne State had a period high 13 point lead when they led 26-13 at the 8:07 mark of the first stanza. The Trojans cut the Wildcat lead as low to as six points late first half, but Wayne State got the lead back to double digits after Christensen's three point buzzer beater at the end of the first half to give the Wildcats a 37-25 lead heading into the break.

            In the second half shot 52.9 percent (18 of 34) from the field and shot 42.9 percent (6 of 14) from the three point line. Wayne State scored 46 points in the second half and did not hold a lead less than double digits in the whole stanza. Wayne State never trailed Dakota State on the afternoon.

            Wayne State shot 48.5 percent (33 of 68) from the field in the game. WSC also shot 41.7 percent (10 of 24) from the three point line and shot 70.0 percent (7 of 10) from the free throw line. The Wildcats outrebounded the Trojans 35 to 30 with 17 rebounds coming off of the offensive glass. WSC also had 13 steals on the night, while turning over the ball 13 times.

            Dakota State shot 44.9 (22 of 49) from the field in the game. The Trojans also shot 31.3 percent (5 of 16) from the three point line and 92.3 percent (12 of 13) from the free throw line. Dakota State had 30 rebounds in the game with 10 of their rebounds coming from offensive boards. Dakota State committed 22 turnovers on the afternoon.

            Wayne State was led by Christensen who had 18 points on the night to go along with four rebounds. Christensen shot 50.0 percent (3 of 6) from the three point line. Alyssa Fischbach added 14 points for the Wildcats to go along with four rebounds and two steals. Ashley Arlen and Mara Hjelle each added 13 points. Ali Schwartzwald tied her career high in assists with seven assists on the afternoon. Hjelle led WSC in rebounds with seven on the afternoon, while Arlen added five rebounds for Wayne State.

            Dakota State was led by Donna Lavea who had 13 points to go along with three rebounds. Lavea shot 83.6 percent (5 of 6) from the free throw line. Ellesse Washington added 12 points to go along with a team high six rebounds. Allegra Kohley added 11 points to round out Trojan Players in double figures.      

            Wayne State will be off until Thursday, December 31 when the Wildcats host Graceland University in a non-conference game starting at 3:00 p.m. at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.