Wayne State made a season-high 13 3-pointers and shot 53 percent from the field to defeat Buena Vista University 83-52 Saturday evening in a non-conference men's basketball game played at Rice Auditorium in Wayne. With the win the Wildcats snap a six-game losing skid and are now 8-6 on the year while the game was an exhibition contest for 8-4 Buena Vista.
The Wildcats never trailed in the contest. WSC opened the contest with an early 5-0 lead following a
Sean Stokes 3-pointer and layup by
Trey Deveaux. The Beavers were within two at 8-6 but WSC scored the next eight points for a 16-6 lead at the 11:39 mark following a 3-pointer from freshman
JJ Ferrin.
Buena Vista reduced the Wildcat lead to 23-18 at the 6:38 mark, but a Stokes 3-pointer and
Elijah Watson basket gave WSC a 28-18 lead and WSC led by double digits the rest of the half closing with a 39-27 lead at the break.
Wayne State started the second half with a commanding 21-4 run, taking a 60-31 lead just over five minutes into the second half and the Wildcats used 55 percent shooting in the second half to cruise past the Beavers 83-52.
The Wildcats finished the game making 34 of 64 shots for 53.1 percent. WSC was 13 for 25 behind the arc for 52 percent and made 2-3 free throws.
Deveuax led a balanced scoring attack for WSC with 15 points. Stokes ended the night with a season-high 14 points with Ferrin also scoring 14.
Buena Vista shot 40 percent for the game on 22 of 55 shots. The Beavers were 5 of 23 from the 3-point line and 3 of 6 at the charity stripe.
Kyle Sternberg was the lone Buena Vista player in double figures with 10 points.
Buena Vista won the rebounding battle 35-30 over the Wildcats as
Elijah Watson grabbed six boards for WSC.
Jay Saunders recorded six assists while
Cody McCullough and Watson each had three steals.
The Wildcats return to Northern Sun Conference play next weekend hosting Minnesota Crookston Friday at 5:30 p.m. and #2 MSU Moorhead Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. contest.
