Wayne State 74 MSU Moorhead
The Wayne State College women's basketball team proved that there is no place like home after a 74-57 win over MSU Moorhead Sunday afternoon at Rice Auditorium in Wayne, America. The Wildcats defense put the clamp on the Dragons offense holding MSU Moorhead to 30.0 percent (20-65) from the field in the ball game. The win makes the Wildcats 8-0 at Rice Auditorium and gives WSC a 11-3 overall record and a 4-3 record in the NSIC. The loss drops MSU Moorhead to 11-4 overall and 5-3 in the NSIC.
Once again Wayne State used the home court to their advantage only trailing the Dragons in the opening minute of the game. The Wildcats would then take the lead at the 18:37 mark of the first stanza and never look back. WSC shot a sizzling 51.9 percent (14-27) from the field in the first half and built a half lead of 19 points thanks to a layup and free throw from Mara Hjelle with 13 seconds remaining in the half to give Wayne State a 41-19 lead into the break.
In the second half the Wildcats continued to add to their lead. Wayne State held MSU Moorhead scoreless from the 15:57 mark of the second half to the 11:59 mark of the second half, in that stretch the Wildcats lead grew to a game high 30 points. The Dragons managed to cut the Wildcat lead to 17 and did outscored Wayne State 36-34 in the half, but the Wildcats maintained the large lead in the second half by shooting 45.5 percent (5-11) from the three point line and defeated MSU Moorhead 74-57.
Wayne State showed why they are at the top of the NSIC in field goal percentage defense and three point percentage defense as the Wildcats held MSU Moorhead to 30.8 percent (20-65) from the field and held to 25.0 percent (5-20) from the three point line. The Wildcats defense also forced 18 Dragon turnovers.
The Wildcats shot 45.8 percent (27-59) from the field on the afternoon. Wayne State shot 38.1 percent (8-21) from the three point line and shot 70.6 percent (12-17) from the free throw line. The Wildcats were outrebounded 43-38 by the Dragons on the afternoon. The Wildcats committed 17 turnovers and had eight steals.
Wayne State was led by Junior Mara Hjelle (White Bear Lake, Minn.) who earned her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Ashley Arlen once again gave the opposing defense troubles scoring 21 points, 16 of which came in the first half. Arlen also grabbed seven rebounds in the game. Sophomore Clare Duwelius hit five three pointers and ended the game with 15 points. Junior Alyssa Fischbach added 13 points to go along with seven rebounds.
MSU Moorhead was led by senior Alison Nash-Gerlach who earned a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Brittany Mayclin was the only other Dragon in double figures as Mayclin added 10 points to go along with five rebounds. Guard Krista Opheim grabbed eight rebounds and also recorded five assists.
Wayne State will hit the road next weekend for a pair of Northern Sun Conference games at Winona State Friday night (6:00 p.m.) and at Upper Iowa Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m.
