Wayne State College used a 29-15 third quarter scoring advantage over Chadron State to break open a close game as the Wildcats defeated the Eagles 84-71 Wednesday evening in a non-conference women's basketball game played at the Chicoine Events Center in Chadron.  WSC is now 2-0 while the host Eagles drop to 0-3.
            Chadron State held the lead for the entire first quarter, making 10 of 16 field goals including 3 of 4 behind the arc, as the Eagles enjoyed a 23-21 lead.
            The game remained close in the second quarter as the 'Cats took their first lead on a Delaney Clark trey at the 9:22 mark for a 26-25 advantage.  
            The Eagles regained the lead momentarily and was still in front at 33-32 when WSC used a Kylah vanDonkersgoed basket and pair of free throws by Maya Fitzpatrick to take the lead for good at 36-33 as the 'Cats closed the first half with a 42-38 lead at the break.
            Wayne State came out on fire to open the third quarter and outscored the Eagles 11-2 in the first three minutes to take a 13-point lead at 53-40.  Consecutive 3-pointers from Lauren Zacharias, Clark and Fitzpatrick fueled the run.
            The 'Cats maintained a double digit lead the rest of the quarter and finished 10 of 14 in the quarter including 4 for 5 beyond the arc as WSC built a 71-53 lead.
            A pair of Fitzpatrick free throws gave the 'Cats their biggest lead of the night at 73-54 with 9:07 to play.  Chadron State got as close as nine two times but WSC closed the game with an 84-71 victory.
            Wayne State was 28 of 72 shooting for 38.9 percent, going 11 of 31 from the 3-point line, in the win.  The 'Cats were 17 for 24 at the charity stripe.
            Four Wildcats scored in double figures led by Zacharias with 17 points.  Sophomore Delaney Clark added a career-best 14 points, going 4 of 8 from 3-point range.  Kassidy Pingel (13) and Fitzpatrick (10) also hit double digits for WSC.
            Chadron State made 24 of 57 shots for 42 percent.  The Eagles were 6 of 14 from 3-point range and 17 of 26 at the foul line.
            Ashayla Powers poured in a game-high 20 points for the Eagles.  Kyra Tanabe added 12 points with Samiyah Worrell scoring 10.
            WSC held a 43-40 edge in rebounding as the 'Cats grabbed 19 offensive rebounds in the win.  Zacharias grabbed a team-high eight boards followed by Pingel with six. 
            Zacharias had five assists while Fitzpatrick was credited with four steals.
            The Wildcats open Northern Sun Conference play on the road next Tuesday evening with a 7:30 p.m. contest at Augustana University in the Sanford Pentagon.