Wayne State could not recover from being outscored 24-3 in the second quarter Friday evening as visiting Winona State registered a 61-43 victory over the Wildcats in Northern Sun Conference women's basketball played at Rice Auditorium.  WSC is now 3-4 and 0-4 in league play with Winona State improving to 2-6 and 2-2 in NSIC games.
            Wayne State held a pair of three-point leads in a tightly contested opening quarter.  Wayne freshman Brooklyn Kruse hit a jumper to give the 'Cats a 10-7 lead at the 3:42 mark.  The 'Cats closed the quarter with a 14-12 lead thanks to a Jordon Heckert basket just before the buzzer.
            But the 'Cats went cold from the field in the second quarter, making just 1 of 15 shots, as Winona State outscored WSC 24-3 to take a commanding 36-17 lead at intermission.
            Wayne State cut into the lead slightly in the third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 11-6, to make the score 42-28 entering the fourth quarter.
            The 'Cats could only get as close as 11 points several time with the final one coming at 48-37 following a basket from Heckert with 6:41 to play.
            Winona State followed with nine of the next 11 points to push the lead back to 18 at 59-41 and the Warriors finished the night with a 61-43 win over Wayne State. 
            Heckert was the lone player in double figures for the Wildcats with 12 points.
            WSC shot just 28.3 percent from the field making 15 of 53 shots.  The 'Cats were 5 of 26 behind the arc and 8 for 10 at the free throw line.
            Hailey Markworth scored a game-high 14 points for Winona State with Emma Carpenter adding 10.
            Winona State shot 48.9 percent from the field on 22 of 45 shots.  The Warriors were 6 for 12 from 3-point range and 11 of 17 at the line.
            WSU held a 37-28 advantage in rebounding over the Wildcats.  Britney Ho grabbed six boards for WSC.
            Wayne State plays at home again Saturday vs. Minnesota State at 5:30 p.m.