Box Score Wayne State 88 Upper Iowa 69

            Wayne State opened the second half with a 12-0 run to break open a one point game at halftime to lead the Wildcats in a 88-69 Northern Sun Conference men's basketball win over Upper Iowa Friday evening at Rice Auditorium.  WSC is now 4-6 and 1-1 in the NSIC while UIU is 4-4 and 1-1 in league games.
            The first half was a back and forth battle featuring nine lead changes and five ties.  With Upper Iowa leading 23-21 at the 6:41 mark, WSC reeled off 10 straight points by eight straight points from Nick Ferrarini for a 31-23 lead. 
            WSC was still leading 38-29 with three minutes left but Upper Iowa closed the half with the final eight points to make the score 38-37 at halftime.
            The Wildcats opened the second half scoring the first 12 points for a 50-37 lead with 16:27 to play.
            WSC maintained a double digit lead the rest of the game and held a 77-55 advantage with 6:45 remaining, but UIU suddenly scored 11 straight points and got within 11 at 77-66 at the 2:58 mark. 
            The Wildcats then closed the game strong and ended with a 88-69 win.
            Sophomore forward Nick Ferrarini led four Wildcats in double figures with 19 points.  Sophomore center Jordan Janssen notched his seventh double-double of the year with 17 points and 21 rebounds.  The 21 rebounds is tied for fifth-most in a single game by a Wildcat and the most since David Allen's 21 rebounds vs. Northwest Missouri State on February 15, 1983.
            Other Wildcats in double figures were Al'Tavius Jackson with 14 points and Nate Thayer 12.
            Wayne State made 33-63 shots for 52.4 percent.  The 'Cats were 7 for 17 behind the arc and 15 of 19 (78.9%) at the charity stripe. 
            Jareese Williams scored 16 points to lead Upper Iowa followed by Jake Hilmer with 14 and Joe Smoldt 10.
            The Peacocks made 26 of 68 shots from the floor including 7 of 26 from the 3-point line.  UIU was 10 for 17 at the free throw line.
            Wayne State held a sizeable 50-26 advantage in rebounding over the Peacocks thanks to 21 caroms by Janssen.
            The Wildcats had an uncharacteristic 19 turnovers compared to 10 for UIU.
            Janssen and Jackson each had four assists while Janssen recorded five blocked shots with Ben Dentlinger adding three.
            WSC will host Winona State Saturday in an NSIC South Division contest at 5:30 p.m.