Wayne State 68 South Dakota School of Mines 65 OT

            Wayne State led for just 1:30 of the contest and rallied from a 17-point first half deficit to escape with a 68-65 overtime victory over South Dakota School of Mines Wednesday afternoon in non-conference women's basketball played at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.  The host Wildcats move to 4-1 on the season while the Hardrockers drop to 0-5.
            Less than one day after defeating Augustana Tuesday evening, the Wildcats came out flat and struggled shooting the ball early.  The Hardrockers took a 10-3 lead five minutes into the contest and closed the first quarter with a 15-11 lead as WSC hit just 4 of 16 shots to open the game.
            South Dakota School of Mines extended their lead in the second quarter thanks to strong shooting, taking their biggest lead of the game at 31-14 with 3:51 to play in the half.  The Hardrockers hit 6 of 11 shots including 3 for 5 behind the arc in the quarter while WSC was 4 of 23 with 4:58 to play in the half before finishing the half 8 of 31 as the Wildcats trailed 34-23.
            The Wildcats came out of the locker room and shot better in the third quarter but still trailed entering the fourth quarter.
            WSC still trailed 42-32 with 4:48 to go in the third quarter, but got as close as three at 45-42 following a Kylie Hammer lay in with 1:05 left before ending the quarter trailing 47-42.
            The 'Cats slowly chipped away at the South Dakota Mines lead and took their lone lead of regulation at 52-51 after a made free throw by Lauren Zacharias. 
            The Hardrockers regained the lead and was in front 59-55 with just 54 seconds to play.  A Logan Hughes basket and a Maya Fitzpatrick layup following a steal with 38 seconds to play knotted the score at 59-59.
            WSC forced a 10-second backcourt violation and got the ball with 28 seconds to play to set up for the final shot.
            Hughes was fouled with 1.2 seconds to play and had two free throws, but was short on both attempts and the game went into overtime tied at 59-59.
            The Hardrockers converted on baskets on their first two possessions to go in front 63-59 and still held a 65-61 lead with 2:44 left in overtime when WSC charged back.
            A Kassidy Pingel basket and three-point play by Hughes with 1:18 left gave WSC just its second lead of the game at 66-65. 
            South Dakota School of Mines missed two shots on their next two possessions and freshman Maya Fitzpatrick was fouled and converted two free throws with three seconds left in overtime to seal the 68-65 overtime victory.
            Wayne State finished the game making 23 of 65 shots for 35.4 percent, including 5 for 18 behind the arc.  The 'Cats made 17 of 26 free throws.
            Hammer scored 15 of her 16 in the second half and overtime to lead WSC in scoring.  Fitzpatrick ended with 13 points while Hughes and Zacharias each finished with 12 points.
            Ryan Weiss poured in a game-high 19 points for South Dakota School of Mines.  Naomi Hidalgo and Makenna Bodette hit double figures with 15 and 14 points respectively.
            The Hardrockers were 25 of 61 shooting for 41 percent, going 7 of 25 from the 3-point line and 8 for 12 at the charity stripe.
            South Dakota School of Mines out-rebounded WSC 42-30 thanks to 16 boards from Sydnee Durtsche.  Wayne State's top rebounders were Pingel, Hammer and Zacharias with six apiece.
            WSC forced South Dakota Mines into 26 turnovers, resulting in a 28-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
            The Wildcats return to action on Thursday, December 2^nd hosting Southwest Minnesota State in Northern Sun Conference action starting at 7:30 p.m. in Rice Auditorium.