Winona State defeated Wayne State 74-69 in NSC South Division women's basketball Friday evening at McCown Gymnasium in Winona, Minnesota.  The host Warriors are now 5-5 and 2-4 in the NSIC South while WSC drops to 6-4 and 3-3 in league play.
            WSC held a 23-16 lead after one quarter thanks to 9-16 shooting (56%) to open the game.  
            The 'Cats opened an 11-point lead at 31-20 midway through the second quarter, but the host Warriors went on a 14-0 run to take a 34-31 lead before closing the first half with a 34-33 lead.
            The host Warriors built a six point lead (52-46) in the third quarter and held a 56-52 lead entering the fourth quarter.
            WSC stayed close with the Warriors early in the fourth and had a 59-57 lead following a Kylie Hammer layup with 6:40 to play.
            That would be the final lead for the Wildcats as Winona scored the next six points for a 63-59 lead.          
            WSC came back and tied the score 63-63 and was tied again at 65-65 with two minutes to play.
            Winona State scored five points on the next two possessions and took the lead for good and finished with a 74-69 win.
            Senior point guard Kylie Hammer had 31 points for Wayne State followed by Lauren Zacharias with 14.
            WSC was 27-60 from the field for 45 percent, going 5 of 22 from 3-point range and 10-11 at the foul stripe.
            Taylor Hustad had 20 points for Winona State.  Mattie Schimenz added 19 followed by Emily Kieck (15) and Emma Fee with 10.
            The Warriors made 27 of 51 shots for 52.9 percent and was 6-19 from 3-point range. WSU was 14-19 at the foul line.
            Winona State won the rebounding battle over WSC 32-26 despite five boards from Hammer.
            Wayne State will play at Upper Iowa Saturday at 5:30 p.m.