Career-highs from senior Maya Fitzpatrick and junior Kylah vanDonkersgoed helped Wayne State erase a 10-point fourth quarter deficit as the Wildcats outlasted Northern State 87-82 in Northern Sun Conference women's basketball Friday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.  The Wildcats improve to 8-6 on the season and 5-5 in the league while also moving to 3-0 in overtime games this season with NSU dropping to 9-6 and 6-3 in league play.
            Both teams used stellar shooting to start the game as the visiting Wolves connected on 9 of 12 shots (75%) while WSC made 8 of 14 shots (57%) ending in a 20-20 tie.
            Northern State continued their solid shooting in the second quarter while the Wildcats cooled off as the visiting Wolves outscored WSC 21-11 in the quarter to build a 41-31 advantage.  NSU was 9 for 17 (52.9%) in the quarter while the Wildcats cooled to just 25 percent (4 of 16) in the quarter.
            Wayne State's Meg Rietz and Maya Fitzpatrick opened the third quarter with 3-pointers to cut the Wolves' lead to four at 41-37. 
            With NSU leading 44-39, the Wolves scored the next nine points to push the lead to 53-39 and held a double digit lead the rest of the third quarter ending with a 57-47 lead.
            The Wildcats rallied in the fourth quarter thanks to strong shooting (9-13) to force the overtime period.
            Senior guard Tate Norblade scored seven straight points for the 'Cats and following a basket and pair of free throws gave WSC a 67-64 lead with 3:24 remaining.
            Northern State battled back and took a two-point lead at 73-71 on a Michaela Jewett layin with three seconds to play.
            Norblade was fouled on the next possession with 1.7 seconds to play sending the game into overtime knotted at 73-73.
            The overtime session opened with a 3-pointer from vanDonkersgoed and the 'Cats never trailed in overtime.
            NSU tied the score at 79-79 with 2:01 left, but a free throw from vanDonkersgoed and a basket by Fitzpatrick put the 'Cats back in front by three at 82-79. 
            The Wolves got as close as two at 84-82 but the Wildcats made free throws down the stretch to seal the 87-82 overtime win.
            Fitzpatrick ended with a career-high 28 points for WSC, her third straight game with more than 20 points.  She was 9 of 14 from the field and 6 of 9 at the line.  vanDonkersgoed also recorded a career-high with 22 points on 9 of 11 shooting.  Other Wildcats in double figures were Norblade with 13 and Meg Rietz had 11.
            WSC was 29 of 56 shooting from the field for a season-high 51.8 percent.  The 'Cats were 10 for 20 from the 3-point line and 19 of 29 at the charity stripe.
            Michaela Jewett poured in 21 points for Northern State followed by Rianna Fillipi with 20.  Other Wolves players in double figures were Alayna Benike with 15, Madelyn Bragg 13 and Morgan Fielder 10.
            NSU made 32 of 67 shots for 47.8 percent, including 6 of 19 behind the arc.  The Wolves were 12 of 15 at the line.     
            Northern State held a 42-28 advantage in rebounding as vanDonkersgoed grabbed seven boards for WSC.
            Rietz handed out five assists while Fitzpatrick and vanDonkersgoed each had three steals.
            The Wildcats will be at home again Saturday afternoon hosting the University of Mary at 3:30 p.m.