Wayne State 103 Graceland 52

            The Wayne State College women's basketball team shot a season-high 59.7 percent from the field in cruising to a 103-52 non-conference win over Graceland University at Rice Auditorium in Wayne Thursday afternoon.  The Wildcats improved to 9-1 on the season with the win while Graceland is now 6-4 with the loss.

            WSC never trailed in the game, scoring the first 12 points to take a 12-0 lead with 15:39 to play in the first half en route to a commanding 54-20 lead at halftime. The 'Cats then outscored the Yellowjackets 49-32 in the second half to post the 103-52 win in the final non-conference game of the season for Wayne State.

            Junior center Mara Hjelle led a balanced scoring attack for WSC with 15 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.  Junior forward Julie Ann Wagner added 14 points followed by junior forward Alyssa Fischbach with 13.  Freshman reserve guard Chelsie Rohrs scored a career-high 12 points while sophomore Clare Duwelius rounded out the double digit scorers with 10. 

            WSC made 43 of 72 shots for a season-high 59.7 percent.  The 'Cats were 6 of 16 from the three point line and 11 of 17 at the charity stripe.  Wayne State had 19 assists and just 10 turnovers in the game.  WSC held a sizeable 51-28 edge in rebounding over Graceland thanks to 11 boards by Hjelle and nine by freshman reserve center Marcy Amundson.

            For Graceland University, Channel Rainey poured in 14 points followed by Marisa Rauss with 12.  The Yellowjackets shot 23 of 69 from the field for 33 percent but hit just 1 of 14 from the three point line.  GU was 5 of 6 at the free throw line. 

            Wayne State returns to Northern Sun Conference play this weekend, visiting Minnesota Duluth Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. followed by a Sunday afternoon contest at Bemidji State also starting at 2:00 p.m.