#3 Wayne State 79 Minnesota, Crookston 67
#3 Wayne State College captured a second straight Northern Sun Conference regular season title in women's basketball Friday evening with a 79-67 win over Minnesota, Crookston at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston, Minnesota. It's the third overall NSIC regular season title for WSC, who captured the 2005-06 regular season title along with last year's NSIC championship. The Wildcats are now 25-2 on the season and 19-2 in the NSIC while the host Golden Eagles drop to 9-16 overall and 6-15 in league play.
The Wildcats led from start to finish in the win, setting the tone for the contest in the first half with solid shooting as WSC made 57 percent on 15 of 26 shooting including 7 from 13 behind the three point line. WSC got off to a quick 7-0 lead in the first 1:38 of the game with a basket by Ali Schwartzwald, two free throws from Ellen Hansen and a three pointer by Ashley Arlen. The 'Cats took their first double-digit lead at 20-9 on a Hansen three pointer with 14:06 to play in the first half. WSC took a 33-13 lead at the 8:19 mark on a Ashton Yossi three pointer before finishing the strong first half of play with a 48-27 lead at halftime.
WSC increased their advantage early in the second half and built a 31 point lead at 66-35 on a three point play by Yossi with 12:40 to play. The 'Cats were in control at 73-45 with 7:45 to play following a Clare Duwelius three pointer, then took a time out and let reserves finish out the contest as WSC posted the 79-67 win.
Senior All-American forward Ashley Arlen paced a balanced scoring attack for WSC with 19 points, making 11 of 12 free throws, in just 26 minutes of playing time. Freshman reserve guard Ashton Yossi contributed a career-high 18 points, going 6 for 11 from the field and 4 of 7 behind the three point line. Sophomore forward Ellen Hansen added 12 points and hauled in 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.
WSC finished the game making 21 of 47 shots for 44.7 percent, including 9 of 19 behind the three point line. The 'Cats shot a season-best 90.3 percent from the free throw stripe making 28 of 31 free throws.
Ashley Martell and Kenzie Church led Minnesota, Crookston in scoring with 13 points apiece followed by Megan Eul with 10 points. The Golden Eagles shot 35.7 percent from the floor, making 25 of 70 shots and 8 of 20 from the three point line. UMC was 9 for 12 at the charity stripe.
Minnesota, Crookston held a 42-32 advantage in rebounding over the Wildcats as Eul hauled in 13 rebounds with Laurie Tyson grabbing 10 for the Golden Eagles while Hansen's 11 caroms led WSC on the glass followed by Arlen with six. Senior guard Ali Schwartzwald directed the WSC offense and handed out a game-high six assists while also recording five steals for the 'Cats.
Wayne State finishes the regular season Saturday afternoon at MSU Moorhead in a 4:00 p.m. contest.
