Box Score Wayne State 79 Concordia-St. Paul 62

            Senior center Paige Ballinger erupted for 27 points in just 24 minutes of playing time and became Wayne State's all-time blocked shots leader to lead the Wildcats in a 79-62 Northern Sun Conference women's basketball victory at Concordia-St. Paul Saturday evening at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The Wildcats improved to 8-3 and 2-1 in the NSIC with the win while the host Golden Bears slip to 2-5 and 0-2 in league play.
            After trailing 7-4 early, WSC went on a 12-0 run over a stretch of 4:20 to take a 16-7 lead and the Wildcats finished the first quarter with an 18-12 lead.
            WSC held a nine point lead (24-15) at the seven minute mark of the second quarter, but the host Golden Bears rallied back and tied the score at 29-29 following an Anna Schmitt 3-pointer with 2:13 left before halftime and the two teams went into the locker room knotted at 34-34.
            The first part of the third quarter was back and forth featuring six lead changes and three ties. 
            Concordia-St. Paul held a 40-39 lead with 6:30 to play in the third, but WSC took control of the game and the lead for good with an 11-1 run as Evelyn Knox capped the run with a pair of free throws at the 2:20 mark to give the 'Cats a 51-41 lead.
            WSC ended the third quarter with a 57-46 lead.  The 'Cats pushed the lead to 67-51 with 5:56 remaining, but Concordia-St. Paul made three straight 3-pointers to get within seven at 67-60 with 3:53 to play.
            The Wildcats then used baskets from Erin Norling, Maggie Lowe and Kacie O'Connor to push the lead back to 13 and WSC went on to post a 79-62 victory.
            Wayne State shot a season-best 56.6 percent in the game, making 30 of 53 shots.  The 'Cats were 3 for 10 from the 3-point line and 16 of 19 at the free throw stripe.
            Ballinger produced a game-high 27 points, playing just 24 minutes, to lead the Wildcats.  She was 9 of 14 from the field and 9 of 11 at the free throw line.  Freshman forward Erin Norling added 12 points with senior Maggie Schulte recording her second double-double of the year with 11 points and 11 rebounds.  Kacie O'Connor also hit double digits with 11 points.
            Concordia-St. Paul made 21 of 58 shots for 36.2 percent, going 9 of 21 behind the arc and 11 for 15 at the free throw line.        
            Anna Schmitt, the NSIC's leading scorer, scored 24 points to lead Concordia-St. Paul.  Ellie Gess chipped in 17 points with Brianna Miller adding 10.
            Wayne State held a 36-26 advantage in rebounding thanks to 11 boards from Schulte and nine more by Ballinger. 
            Ballinger had four of Wayne State's seven blocked shots in the game and became the all-time leader in the category with 170, surpassing the previous school record of 168 held by Jodie Boss from 2007-09.
            Freshman guard Halley Busse handed out a season-high eight assists. 
            Wayne State will be at home next weekend hosting the University of Mary Friday at 6 p.m. and Minot State Saturday at 4 p.m. in Rice Auditorium.