Wayne State built a 37-17 halftime lead, then held off a tenacious second half comeback by visiting Emporia State, as the Wildcats held on for a 73-61 victory over the Hornets in a non-conference women's basketball game played at Rice Auditorium Saturday evening.  WSC is now 3-1 with the win while ESU drops to 1-3.
            It was all Wildcats in the first half.  After a pair of lead changes early in the opening stanza, the Wildcats scored the final seven points of the first quarter to take a 15-7 lead.
            The Wildcats continued the scoring streak into the second quarter, rattling off 13 straight points while holding Emporia State without a point for a stretch of 7:36 from late first quarter through the middle part of the second and held a 28-9 lead.
            WSC pushed the lead to 35-9 before closing the second quarter with a 37-17 halftime lead.  The 'Cats outscored ESU in the quarter 22-10 and made 9 of 14 shots (64.3%).
            Emporia State came out in the third quarter with a full-court press that gave the Wildcats problems, allowing the Hornets to make a comeback.
            Wayne State's lead of 39-17 early in the third quarter was reduced to 47-41 at the end of the third quarter as the Hornets held a 24-10 scoring edge in the quarter.  WSC was held to just 4 of 17 shooting in the quarter.
            The Hornets closed to within four a pair of times in the fourth quarter, but Wayne State's stellar free throw shooting helped fend back Emporia State in the final 10 minutes to hang on for the win.
            WSC made their first 18 free throws of the game before a miss and ended the contest 25 of 26.
            Emporia State trailed 49-45 with 7:18 remaining, then the 'Cats got four straight free throws from Maya Fitzpatrick to take a 53-45 lead and Meg Rietz with a basket and two free throws gave WSC a 57-47 advantage with four minutes to play.
            Wayne State held back any comeback by the Hornets making 17 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats won 73-61.
            Fitzpatrick led four Wildcats in double figures with 16 points, making 10 of 10 free throws.  Britney Ho and Jordon Heckert each scored 14 with Rietz adding a career-best 11.
            WSC made 22 of 58 shots for 37.9 percent.  The "Cats were 4 of 15 from 3-point range and 25 of 26 (96%) at the free throw line.
            Faith Paramore led Emporia State with 16 points followed by Gracie Gilpin and Queen Ulabo with 13 each.
            Emporia State was 22 of 57 from the field for 38.6 percent.  The Hornets were 6 for 23 at the 3-point line and 11 for 20 at the line.
            ESU held a 39-35 edge in rebounding over the Wildcats despite eight boards from Kylah vanDonkersgoed.  Fitzpatrick had team-highs of four assists and four steals with Abby Kopecky recording four steals and three assists.
            The Wildcats return to Northern Sun Conference play next weekend visiting #25 Minnesota Duluth Saturday at 2 p.m. and Concordia-St. Paul Sunday for a 4 p.m. contest.