Wayne State 73 MSU Moorhead 69
Senior guard Bryce Caldwell drained eight three-pointers and scored a game-high 28 points to carry the Wayne State men's basketball team in a 73-69 Northern Sun Conference win at MSU Moorhead Friday evening. The win moves the Wildcats back into a tie for third place in the NSIC standings with Southwest Minnesota State at 10-7 in the league and 15-11 overall while MSU Moorhead drops to 14-12 overall and 7-10 in the NSIC. It was the 10th straight time that WSC has topped MSU Moorhead in men's basketball dating back to the 2002-03 season.
MSU Moorhead held a 37-33 lead at halftime in a tightly contested first half that featured eight ties and 11 lead changes. Wayne State used a quick 11-2 run to open the second half, giving the Wildcats a 44-39 with 16:57 remaining in the game. The Wildcats eventually built an 11 point lead at 57-46 with 9:24 to go following a pair of free throws by Jamar Diggs. However, MSUM responded with a 13-2 run over the next 2:58 and tied the score at 59-59 with 6:26 remaining on a dunk by Jamal O'Neal.
After MSU Moorhead took a 60-59 lead on a Grant Fossum free throw with 5:40 left, WSC rattled off the next seven points to take a 66-60 lead. A Caldwell three pointer put the 'Cats ahead for good at 62-60 with 5:24 to go. A David Walters layup and two free throws by Jonathon Thomas gave WSC a 66-60 lead at the 3:33 mark. A three pointer by Walters with 2:52 left gave the 'Cats a 69-62 lead and WSC a jumper and two free throws by Caldwell to score their final points and hold on for the 73-69 win over the Dragons.
Caldwell finished the night 9 of 15 from the floor, including 8 of 14 from the three point line, to account for his 28 points to lead all scorers for Wayne State. Senior center Matt Rathje added 13 points with Jonathon Thomas chipping in a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Wildcats shot just 37.3 percent from the field on 22 of 59 shots, but hit 10 of 20 three point attempts and 19 of 25 free throws.
Jamal O'Neal poured in 16 points to lead four double digit scorers for MSU Moorhead. Kyle Nelson and Ryan Rozell finished with 15 points apiece with Craig Williams adding 12. The Dragons shot 23 of 51 from the field for 45 percent, but hit just 4 of 15 from the three point line. MSUM was 19 of 23 at the charity stripe.
Wayne State held a commanding 40-29 edge in rebounding thanks to 20 offensive rebounds in the win. Thomas grabbed 12 boards with Jamar Diggs added nine caroms for the Wildcats while O'Neal hauled in nine boards to lead MSUM.
Wayne State will close out the regular season with a key game at Concordia-St. Paul Saturday evening. The 'Cats are tied for third place with SW Minnesota State in the NSIC at 10-7 in the league while CSP is one game back in fifth place at 9-8. The winner will clinch a first round home game in the NSIC Tournament next weekend.
