Wayne State saw 12 players score with three in double figures as the Wildcats moved to 5-0 with an 86-47 non-conference men's basketball victory over Manhattan Christian College Saturday afternoon at Rice Auditorium in Wayne. The game was an exhibition contest for the Thunder, who are 1-4 on the season.
The game featured six lead changes in the first 3 ½ minutes until the 'Cats caught fire and took a double-digit lead. MCC held a 7-6 lead at the 16:28 mark, then Wayne State scored the next 11 points and built a 17-7 lead following a 3-pointer and layup with 14:42 to go in the half.
Wayne State held a double digit lead the rest of the first half with the biggest advantage coming at 17 (35-18) following a pair of
Trey Deveaux free throws with 2:59 left before halftime as the Wildcats ended the half with a 38-22 lead.
The Wildcats pushed the lead to 22 at 51-29 just over five minutes into the second half and was in front 62-29 at the under 10 media time out as Wayne State finished with an 86-47 win.
Junior forward
Trey Deveaux led Wayne State in scoring with 16 points – 13 coming in the opening half.
David Harmon (13) and
Alec Millender (11) also hit double digits for the 'Cats with 12 players scoring in the contest.
Wayne State made 33 of 61 shots in the game for 54.1 percent. The 'Cats were 7 of 19 from the 3-point line and 13 for 16 at the charity stripe.
Dyelan Reed and Davis Rokey each scored 12 points to lead Manhattan Christian College in scoring.
The Thunder shot 17 of 57 from the floor for 29.8 percent, making 4 of 18 3-pointers and 9 of 13 free throws.
Wayne State dominated the boards by a final tally of 47-25 with
Cody McCullough grabbing eight boards for the 'Cats followed by Deveaux with seven.
Deveaux, Saunders and
Elijah Watson each had three assists with Millender and Saunders both credited with three steals.
The Wildcats open Northern Sun Conference play at home Tuesday evening hosting Southwest Minnesota State at 5:30 p.m. in Rice Auditorium.
