Sophomore guard JJ Ferrin scored a game-high 20 points to lead Wayne State College in a 75-64 victory over #20 Northwest Missouri State Sunday afternoon at the Hillyard Tipoff Classic hosted by Missouri Western in St. Joseph, Missouri Sunday afternoon.  Since region crossovers began to open the season in 2014-15, this is the first time that the 2-0 Wildcats have won both games in a region crossover in eight tries.  NWMSU is now 0-2 on the season.
            After Northwest Missouri State opened with an early 7-4 lead, WSC used a 12-0 run over a span of 4:15 to take a 16-7 lead at the 12:27 mark.  Jay Saunders and JJ Ferrin fueled the scoring run with a 3-pointer and two-point basket each.
            The Wildcats held several nine-point leads in the opening half with the final one coming at 24-15 with 8:53 to play.
            The Bearcats chipped into the lead and tied the score at 31-31 before Wayne State closed the first half with a 37-34 lead.
            A quick start to the second half by Northwest Missouri State allowed the Bearcats to take a four-point advantage at 43-39 with 15:50 remaining. 
            WSC then got a 3-pointer by Ferrin and a basket from Nassir Binion to grab a 44-43 lead.
            The next possession saw the Bearcats sink a 3-pointer for their final lead of the game at 46-44.
            Back-to-back 3-pointers by Saunders and Ferrin put the 'Cats in front 50-46.
            Northwest Missouri State was able to tie the score two more times, but Wayne State held the lead the remainder of the game.
            The Bearcats evened the score for the final time at 53-53 with 9:07 left.  A Ryan Blum basket and three-point play by senior Cody McCullough put the 'Cats up five at 58-53 one minute later. 
            Northwest Missouri got as close as three several times with the final time coming at 67-64 with 2:40 to play.  Wayne State scored the final eight points of the game that included 6 of 6 from the free throw line in the final 41 seconds to seal the 75-64 victory.
            Ferrin led Wayne State in scoring with 20 points.  McCullough finished with 17 on 6 of 12 shooting while Saunders ended with 14 on 5 of 10 shooting with three 3-pointers.
            Wayne State finished the game making 28 of 57 shots for 49 percent.  The 'Cats sank 8 of 21 shots from the 3-point line and made 11 of 17 free throws.
            Emorie Knox recorded 16 points to lead Northwest Missouri State.  Spencer Schomers (13) and Luke Moustakas (12) also scored double digits for the Bearcats.
            NWMSU shot 43.4 percent from the field making 23 of 53 shots, including 9 of 27 behind the arc.  The Bearcats were 9 for 12 from the charity stripe.
            WSC held a 36-29 advantage in rebounding over the Bearcats thanks to seven boards by McCullough.  Saunders had four assists and four steals while McCullough also handed out four assists.
            The Wildcats play their home opener Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. hosting Barclay College of Kansas.