#2 Wayne State (Neb.) 58 Minnesota State 35
#2 Wayne State College set a new school record with its 28th win Saturday by holding Minnesota State to just 19 percent shooting in a 58-35 win over the Mavericks at the NSIC Sanford Health Women's Basketball Tournament Semi-Finals played at Taylor Arena in Rochester, Minnesota. The Wildcats move to 28-2 on the season, surpassing the previous school record of 27 wins set by the 2005-06 team (27-4) while Minnesota State ends the season at 18-10.
Both teams struggled from the field in the first half. The game was back and forth early on with four ties and three lead changes. Senior center Eva Benson kept the 'Cats close early scoring eight of Wayne State's first 13 points. Minnesota State held a 16-13 lead with 6:57 to play in the first half, but WSC scored the next seven points and took the lead for good. Clare Duwelius drained a three pointer, Wayne State's first make behind the arc in 10 attempts, to take a 20-16 lead with 1:35 to play in the first half. A putback by freshman reserve guard Ashton Yossi gave WSC a 22-17 lead at halftime as WSC finished the first half shooting just 21.9 percent from the field (7 of 32) while holding the Mavericks to 22.6 percent shooting on 7 of 31.
WSC put the game away early in the second half by coming out with an 18-3 run, taking a 40-20 lead with 9:48 to play. Seniors Ali Schwartzwald and Clare Duwelius fueled the early scoring spurt as Schwartzwald opened the half with a three followed by a jumper and Duwelius hit a pair of three's to lead the charge. The Wildcats built a pair of 24 point leads and played stellar defense holding Minnesota State to just 18 points in the second half as WSC went on to the 58-35 win.
Senior All-American forward Ashley Arlen led Wayne State with her 12th double-double of the season, recording 13 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Clare Duwelius also reached double figures with 11 points while sophomore Ellen Hansen grabbed 10 rebounds. WSC was 13 of 26 from the field in the second half and finished the game making 20 of 58 shots for 34.5 percent. The 'Cats were 5 of 19 from the three point line and 13 of 17 at the charity stripe.
Aubrey Davis was the lone double figure scorer for Minnesota State with 14 points. The Mavericks were just 12 of 63 shooting from the field for 19 percent, going 4 of 20 from the three point line and 7 of 18 at the free throw stripe.
Both teams had 48 rebounds in the game as Arlen grabbed 12 and Hansen 10 to lead Wayne State on the glass while Jamie Bresnahan had 11 caroms with Laura Weber grabbing 10 for the Mavericks. Freshman center Whitney Epp was a defensive presence for the Wildcats recording a game-high six blocked shots.
Wayne State advances to Sunday's championship game at 2:00 p.m. and will face Augustana College, who defeated the University of Mary 78-67 in Saturday's other semi-final contest.
