Redshirt sophomore guard Alec Millender scored a team-high 15 points to go with six assists to lead Wayne State past Minnesota Crookston 62-53 Friday evening in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball played at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.  The Wildcats improve to 9-6 and 2-6 in the league while the visiting Golden Eagles drop to 4-9 and 1-6 in league action.
            Wayne State never trailed in the game and after building a 15-point lead early in the second half the Wildcats held back a Minnesota Crookston rally with just over three minutes to play to win by nine.
            After taking a pair of eight point leads early, Wayne State saw Minnesota Crookston close to within three at 18-15.  The 'Cats took their first double-digit lead of the opening half at 31-21 on a Sean Stokes 3-pointer with 4:34 to go in the half and held another 10-point lead at 36-26 following a JJ Ferrin jumper with 1:00 to play in the half before finishing with a 36-28 lead at the break.
            The 'Cats opened the second half strong, taking a 44-30 advantage on a Elijah Watson step back jumper with 15:50 to play. 
            UMC scored the seven points and got within seven at 44-37, but WSC responded with a 10-2 run and took their biggest lead of the night at 54-39 with 10:57 to play on another Watson basket.
            WSC was still in front 56-45 when the Golden Eagles rallied one last time, getting as close as four at 57-53 with 3:29 to play.
            Wildcat redshirt sophomore guard Alec Millender then made a step back jumper and a layup on the next two possessions for a 61-53 lead and the 'Cats finished with a 62-53 victory.
            Millender was the lone Wildcat in double figures with 15 points to go with six assists. 
            Wayne State made 24 of 54 shots for 44.4 percent, hitting 7 of 23 from the 3-point line and 7 for 10 at the charity stripe.
            Blaize Sagna and Reid Grant each scored 16 points for Minnesota Crookston.
            The Golden Eagles shot 38.3 percent from the field on 18 of 47 shooting.  UMC was 6 for 16 from 3-point range and 11 of 13 at the free throw line.
            WSC held a 32-27 edge in rebounding over UMC thanks to seven boards by Cody McCullough. 
            Besides his six assists, Millender also led the 'Cats with three steals. 
            Wayne State is at home again Saturday afternoon hosting #2 MSU Moorhead in Rice Auditorium at 3:30 p.m.