Box Score Wayne State 65 Upper Iowa 61

            Wayne State got 10 straight points in the fourth quarter and a career-high 29 from junior guard Lauren Zacharias as the Wildcats rallied for a 65-61 NSIC South Division women's basketball victory at Upper Iowa Saturday evening at Dorman Gymnasium in Fayette, Iowa.  WSC is now 7-4 and 4-3 in the NSIC South while the host Peacocks drop to 2-10 and 0-7 in league games.
            The host Peacocks started quickly and never trailed in the first half.  Upper Iowa opened the game making six of nine shots to open a 15-9 lead and was in front 24-14 after one quarter thanks to 4 of 5 3-point shooting in the opening 10 minutes of play.
            Upper Iowa maintained their edge on the Wildcats in the second quarter.  The closest WSC got was six points at 29-23 on a pair of Lauren Zacharias free throws with 4:27 to go in the half.
            But UIU closed the first half strong and held a 39-28 lead at halftime.
            Upper Iowa opened the third quarter and scored baskets on their first two possessions to take their biggest lead of the game at 43-30 two minutes into the second half.
            Wayne State then held the Peacocks scoreless for the next 7:14, scoring 11 straight points to get back into the game and trail by just two points at 43-41.
            A Kylie Hammer layup with 28 seconds left in the third quarter forged the first tie of the game at 45-45 before Upper Iowa closed the third quarter with a 47-45 lead.
            The 'Cats took their first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter when Zacharias drained a 3-pointer for a 48-47 lead with 9:16 remaining.
            A Zacharias layup put the 'Cats up three at 50-47 and following an Upper Iowa basket Zacharias added another layup and 3-pointer for 10 straight points that gave WSC a 55-49 lead.
            A Tate Norblade 3-pointer at the 5:08 mark gave Wayne State a 60-50 lead, capping a run to start the fourth quarter where the Wildcats made 6 of 7 shots including 3 for 4 behind the arc to fuel the rally.
            Upper Iowa then held the 'Cats scoreless for the next 3:50 and got within four at 60-56 until a Kylie Hammer layup put the 'Cats back up six at 62-56 with 1:18 to play.
            The Peacocks then scored on their next two possessions, using a three-point play and a lay in to close to 62-61 with 13 seconds remaining. 
            UIU stole the WSC inbounds pass and a potential game-winning 3-pointer was missed with WSC grabbing the rebound forcing a jump ball with 1.2 to play.  A lob inbounds pass to Logan Hughes resulted in a layup and free throw with no time left to seal the 65-61 Wildcat victory. 
            Zacharias ended with a career-high 29 points, going 11 of 18 from the field including five 3-pointers.  Hughes and Hammer each hit double digits with 11 apiece.
            WSC shot an even 50 percent for the game, making 24 of 48 shots that included 8 of 11 in the fourth quarter and 15 of 24 in the second half.  The 'Cats were 8 of 23 from the 3-point line and just 9 for 17 at the free throw line.
            Upper Iowa was led by Jessica Musgrave with 18 points and 15 rebounds.  Lydia Haack and Katie Tornstrom each scored 15 points.
            UIU was 21 of 61 shooting for 34.4 percent, going 4 of 17 from the 3-point line and 15-22 at the stripe.
            The Peacocks won the rebounding battle over WSC 38-33 with Zacharias grabbing eight boards for the 'Cats.
            Wayne State resumes play following the holiday break on Sunday, January 2nd visiting Augustana at 5:30 p.m.