Southeastern Oklahoma State 80 Wayne State 64

            Southeastern Oklahoma State used 57 percent field goal shooting in the second half to break open a close game and top cold-shooting Wayne State 80-64 in non-conference men's basketball Saturday evening at the GAC/NSIC Challenge played at Noble Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  The Savage Storm are now 1-1 while WSC drops to 0-2.
            The two teams battled close for a majority of the first half, trading seven lead changes and five ties in the first half of the contest.
            Wayne State's biggest lead of the game was two points several times in the opening half.  The 'Cats led 11-9 seven minutes into the game following a Jordan Janssen basket. 
            The Savage Storm scored eight straight points for a 17-11 lead followed by seven straight points from the Wildcats for an 18-17 lead after a Sean Stokes 3-pointer with 7:54 left in the first half.
            But that would be the final Wildcat lead of the night.  A quick 9-2 run by Southeastern Oklahoma State resulted in a 26-20 lead.  The 'Cats got as close as three at 32-29 right before halftime as the Savage Storm finished with a 34-29 lead.
            Wayne State had little chance of making a comeback in the second half thanks to 38 percent shooting (15-39) while the Savage Storm made 57 percent on 16 of 28 shots to pull away in the second half.
            The 'Cats were within seven at 43-36 following an Alec Millender basket with 14:37 remaining, but Southeastern Oklahoma State used a 14-5 run highlighted by three consecutive 3-pointers and the Savage Storm held a double digit lead the rest of the night.
            Sean Stokes had 19 points that included 5 of 10 behind the arc for Wayne State while Jordan Janssen was the only other Wildcat in double figures with 18 and 11 rebounds.
            WSC shot just 36.1 percent for the game on 26 of 72 shots, including a frigid 6 of 23 from the 3-point line.  The 'Cats made 6 of 9 free throws.
            Southeastern Oklahoma State had five players score double digits led by Jett Sternberger's 16 points.  Ante Brzovic followed with 15 while Kyle Leslie (12), Kellen Manek (11) and Adam Sworsky (10) also hit double figures.
            The Savage Storm made 29 of 59 shots for 49.2 percent, hitting 6 of 21 3-pointers and 16 of 22 free throws.
            A close rebounding battle favored Southeastern Oklahoma State 42-39 despite 11 boards by Janssen.  Jay Saunders handed out five assists while both teams had 10 turnovers.
            The Wildcats play their home opener Tuesday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne hosting Bellevue University at 7 p.m.