Wayne State outscored William Jewell 31-18 in the third quarter to take control of the game and used balanced scoring with five players in double figures as the Wildcats defeated the host Cardinals 74-63 in non-conference women's basketball Tuesday evening at the Mabee Center in Liberty, Missouri.  WSC improves to 3-0 on the young season while the host Cardinals fell in their season opener.
            The 'Cats got off to a quick start, leading 10-0 just 3:45 into the game.  Kylah vanDonkersgoed and Kelsey Willems hit 3-pointers to go with a pair of Rachel Dahlen baskets. 
            The host Cardinals did rally to cut into the deficit by the end of the first quarter with WSC holding a 13-12 lead.
            William Jewell scored the first seven points of the quarter and held the lead for entire stanza.  WJC held a pair of six-point leads at 19-13 and 21-15.  The 'Cats got within one at 21-20 following a Dahlen basket at the 4:40 mark, but the Cardinals maintained the advantage the remainder of the quarter and was ahead 30-26 at the break.
            After trading three lead changes early in the third quarter, the 'Cats got hot shooting from the field which led to a 31-point third quarter and WSC taking control of the contest.
            Tied at 36-36 with 8:01 to play in the quarter, WSC got 3-pointers from Willems and Tenleigh Smith to go in front 42-36. 
            Moments later, the 'Cats score nine straight points to take their first double-digit lead of the night at 51-39.  A pair of Ella Sharar free throws, two baskets by Lily Fitzgerald and a 3-pointer by Meg Rietz fueled the 9-0 scoring run in just 1:20. 
            WSC finished the third quarter with a 57-48 lead, outscoring the Cardinals 31-18 thanks to 66 percent shooting (12-18) that included 5 of 6 from the 3-point line.
            The 'Cats gave little opportunity by the Cardinals for a comeback in the fourth quarter as WJC got as close as eight at 61-53 with 5:33 to play, but Wayne State scored the following 11 points to take a commanding 72-53 lead and the Wildcats closed with a 74-63 win.
            Five Wildcats hit double figures, led by Kelsey Willems' 16 points.  Ella Sharar came off the bench to score 15 on 5 of 8 shooting.  Other WSC players in double figures were Lily Fitzgerald with a career-high 12, Tenleigh Smith 11 and Dahlen ended with 10.
            Wayne State shot 43.8 percent from the field making 28 of 64 shots.  The 'Cats were 9 of 22 from 3-point range and 9 of 18 at the free throw line.
            For William Jewell, Jariah Harris poured in a game-high 24 points with Syderah Farmer scoring 13.
            WJC made 20 of 49 shots for 40.8 percent, including 7 of 24 from the 3-point line.  The Cardinals were 16 for 21 at the free throw line.
            WSC held a 37-31 edge in rebounding thanks to 10 boards by Rietz and seven from Dahlen.  Willems had a team-high four steals while also handing out three assists along with Smith.
            The Wildcats return to action Saturday when Wayne State hosts Chadron State in their home opener at Rice Auditorium.  Game time has been changed and will now start at 12 p.m. Saturday afternoon instead of the previously scheduled start time of 5 p.m.