Wayne State 65 Mary 55

         The Wayne State College women's basketball team moved to 7-0 for the first time since 1974-75 Saturday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne, America defeating the University of Mary 65-55. Mara Hjelle and Ashley Arlen combined for 33 points in the victory for Wayne State. The win makes WSC 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC. The loss drops the Marauders to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the NSIC.

            Wayne State held the lead the entire game with Mary battling back to cut WSC leads of 11 in both the first and second half of the ballgame. Mary battled back to within one of Wayne State when Marlee Finley hit a three pointer at the 8:53 mark of the second stanza. Scoring went back and forth in the final minutes with WSC holding the lead thanks to Ashley Arlen who scored all her 14 points in the second half. In the final minutes of the game Wayne State was strong at the free throw line shooting  8 of 9 in the final minute of the game. The Wildcats also forced two turnovers in the final minute of the game.

            The Wildcats shot 39.3 (22 of 56) percent from the field on the night. WSC also shot 26.1 (6-23) percent from the three point line and 51.7 (15 of 29) percent from the free throw line. Wayne State was out rebounded by the Marauders 47-38 in the ballgame. WSC did force 17 Marauders turnovers compared to only 11 for the Wildcats. Wayne State also had five blocks on the night.

            The Marauders shot 33.9 (21 of 62) percent from the field on the night. Mary also shot 62.5 (10-16) percent from the free throw line and 15.8 (3 of 19) percent from the three point line.

            Wayne State was led by Junior Mara Hjelle (White Bear Lake, Minnesota) who had 19 points and nine rebounds on the night. Hjelle was 8 of 12 from the field shooting 66.6 percent. Arlen added 14 points and six rebounds and Alisha Brown added a career high eight assists to go along with six points. Alyssa Fischbach also added nine rebounds for WSC to go along with her seven points.

            Mary was led by Liz Sipma who had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Laura Pertersen added 15 points and four rebounds.   

            The next game for Wayne State will be Saturday evening when the Wildcats travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to face travel partner Augustana College in Northern Sun Conference play starting at 5:00 p.m.