Wayne State 71 #22 Sioux Falls 46

            Wayne State opened the game making 13 of their first 16 shots that included 6 of 6 from the 3-point line and the Wildcats gained a weekend split with Sioux Falls by dismantling the 22^nd-ranked Cougars 71-46 Saturday afternoon in NSIC South Division men's basketball played in Rice Auditorium.  The Wildcats improve to 7-5 and 7-3 in the NSIC South Division while the Cougars slip to 6-2 and 4-2 in the division.
            Sioux Falls got off to a quick lead as senior forward Teathloach Pal scored the first seven Cougar points in less than two minutes for an early 7-2 lead.
            Wayne State scored the next eight points and took the lead for good on back-to-back treys by freshman guard Jay Saunders.
            The Wildcats used red-hot shooting to slowly pull away from the Cougars in the opening half.
            USF was within two at 15-13 at the 14:19 mark of the first half, but WSC went on a 16-5 scoring run and took a 31-18 lead following another Saunders 3-pointer with 8:21 to play in the half.
            At that point, WSC was a perfect 6 for 6 behind the arc and 13 of 16 shooting overall to start the game (81%).
            The 'Cats maintained a double digit lead the rest of the half and held a 45-26 lead at intermission.
            WSC ended the half making 16 of 24 shots (66.7%) and hit 6 of 10 behind the arc to go with 7 of 8 free throws.
            Wayne State shut down the Cougars in the second half, holding USF to just 26 percent shooting on 6 of 23 while WSC used a balanced attack to maintain the advantage with reserves dominating play late for the 71-46 victory.
            Jordan Janssen and Saunders led WSC in scoring with 11 points apiece while Nate Mohr finished with 10.
            Wayne State ended the game making 26 of 48 shots for 54.2 percent including 9 for 19 from the 3-point line.  The Wildcats were 10 for 12 (83%) at the charity stripe.
            Teathloach Pal was the lone Sioux Falls player in double figures with 11.
            USF made 16 of 51 shots from the field for 31.4 percent and was 5 for 16 behind the arc while going 9-15 at the free throw line.
            WSC won the rebounding battle 34-27 thanks to a career-best 11 boards from redshirt freshman Justin Eagins. 
            Alec Millender had five assists with Saunders handing out four assists.
            The Wildcats will be on the road next weekend for NSIC South Division games at Southwest Minnesota State Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m.