Minnesota State 65 Wayne State 60
Despite a game-high 23 points from Wildcat junior guard Amry Shelby, Minnesota State held back Wayne State 65-60 in the Northern Sun Conference men's basketball opener for both teams Friday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne. The Mavericks are now 2-3 overall and 1-0 in league play while the Wildcats drop to 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in league play.
The first half was close throughout as neither team held a lead larger than four points. There were eight lead changes and four ties. The biggest lead of the first half was Minnesota State's 11-7 lead with 14:25 to play in the first half on a Jimmy Whitehead jumper. The Wildcats took a pair of leads late in the first half and used a three pointer from Derrell Williams with 29 seconds to go before halftime to take a 26-24 lead at intermission.
Wayne State got off to a strong start in the second half and gained momentum, and a four point lead, at 30-26 on a thunderous dunk by Clayfell Harris that got the WSC crowd into the game with 17:26 to play. The Mavericks responded well and went on a 11-3 run over the next 3:24 to take the lead for good at 37-33.
Minnesota State built a seven point lead at 45-38 with 9:54 left on a dunk by Connor O'Brien, but WSC made another run at the Mavericks and pulled within one at 47-46 following an Adol Aluong three pointer with 6:09 to play. But Minnesota State went back in front by seven again at 53-46 on a Stephen Kirschbaum layup with 2:52 remaining.
The Wildcats were able to pull within three a couple more times late in the game, but Minnesota State sank 9 of 10 free throws in the final 1:23 to hold back the Wildcats for the 65-60 win.
Amry Shelby led Wayne State and all scorers in the contest with 23 points, making 8 of 15 field goals and 7 of 8 free throws. Derrell Williams added eight points for the 'Cats who shot 21 of 47 from the field for 44.7 percent. WSC was 4 of 10 from the three point line and 14 of 20 at the charity stripe.
For Minnesota State, Zach Romashko poured in 16 points followed by Stephen Kirschbaum with 15. DJ Hoskins scored 12 and Connor O'Brien recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks. Minnesota State was 18 of 40 shooting including 2 of 5 from the three point line. The Mavericks were 27 of 35 at the foul stripe.
Minnesota State outrebounded Wayne State 34-23 thanks to 10 boards from O'Brien while Wayne State's top rebounder was Clayfell Harris with four caroms. WSC had just 11 turnovers to 14 on Minnesota State.
Wayne State is at home again Saturday evening entertaining Southwest Minnesota State in a 6:00 p.m. Northern Sun Conference matchup at Rice Auditorium.
