Wayne State shot just 34 percent in the first half, digging themselves a 13-point first half deficit, as the Wildcats fell at home to Sioux Falls Thursday evening 78-68 in a Northern Sun Conference men's basketball game held at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.  WSC drops to 13-8 and 7-8 in the league while the visiting Cougars move to 12-9 and 8-7 in NSIC contests.
            Poor shooting in the opening half cost the Wildcats, who could never dig out of a hole. 
            The game was close early as the two teams traded seven ties and four lead changes. 
            The 'Cats took their biggest lead of the night at 21-18 following a Sean Stokes 3-pointer with 9:06 to play in the half. 
            A layup by Stokes on the next possession put WSC in front 23-21 but it would be the last Wildcat lead of the game.
            Wayne State went scoreless for the next five minutes while Sioux Falls scored 12 straight points to grab a 33-23 lead with 3:20 left before halftime.
            USF took their biggest lead of the night at 37-24 with 1:27 to play before the 'Cats closed the half with five quick points to trim the Cougar halftime advantage to 37-29.
            Early in the second half, Wayne State still trailed 47-38 with 14:25 to play when the 'Cats made a run to tie the score.
            A driving layup by Stokes tied the score at 54-54 with 8:02 to play.
            But Sioux Falls answered the Wildcat run by scoring the next 11 points, taking a 65-54 lead with 4:12 to play.
            The 'Cats got as close as six at 65-59 with 2:17 to play but the Cougars hit two quick baskets to go back in front by 11 and clinched the win with 6 of 6 free throw shooting down the stretch for the 78-68 win.
            Stokes and Jay Saunders each scored 15 points to lead Wayne State.  Cody McCullough added 12 points with JJ Ferrin scoring 11.
            WSC was 26 of 63 from the field for 41.3 percent, going 4 of 18 behind the arc and 12 of 17 at the line.
            Creighton Morisch recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds for Sioux Falls while Noah Puetz also scored 20 points.             
            Sioux Falls shot 52.5 percent making 31 of 59 shots.  The Cougars were 6 for 18 from the 3-point line and 10 of 12 at the charity stripe.
            USF held a 41-29 advantage in rebounding with Matt Noll and McCullough each grabbing eight boards.
            McCullough tied a school record with six blocked shots in the contest and also had four steals. 
            The Wildcats will be in action again Saturday afternoon visiting Augustana at 12 p.m.