Senior forward Andrew Stokes poured in a season-high 20 points to lead Wayne State College past Minnesota Crookston 79-62 in a Northern Sun Conference men's basketball make-up game played Wednesday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.  The 'Cats move to 10-8 overall and 6-6 in the league with the win while Minnesota Crookston drops to 3-16 and 1-11 in the NSIC.
            The game was close early featuring 12 lead changes and five ties until WSC used a late scoring surge to close the first half with a double-digit lead and hold the lead for good.
            After WSC opened the contest with a quick 8-3 advantage, Minnesota Crookston battled back and took their first lead at 12-11.  The Golden Eagles pushed the lead to four at 25-21 at the 7:18 mark.  Senior guard Kai Smith converted a layup at the 4:08 mark to give the 'Cats a 28-27 lead and would never trail again.
            Minnesota Crookston was within three at 33-30 with two minutes to play, then WSC closed the half with seven straight points on a pair of Aurrion Harris baskets and a three-point play from sophomore forward Matt Noll to grab a 40-30 lead at intermission.
            The Golden Eagles scored the first five points of the second half to cut the Wildcat lead to five at 40-35.  Wayne State then put the game out of reach with an 18-2 run over the next 5:42 to take a commanding 58-37 lead and the Wildcats cruised the rest of the contest and closed with a 79-62 victory.
            Stokes led four Wildcat players in double figures with 20 points, going 8 for 17 from the field.  Noll contributed 14 points followed by Smith with 12 and Darshan Thomas 11.
            Wayne State shot 44 percent for the game making 30 of 68 shots.  The 'Cats were 6 for 13 behind the arc and 13 of 20 at the free throw line.
            Donez Lindsey had 19 points to lead Minnesota Crookston with J.D. Roberts adding 11.
            UMC was 25 of 61 shooting for 41 percent.  The Golden Eagles were 7 of 24 from the 3-point line and 5 of 10 at the free throw line.
            Wayne State held a 43-38 edge in rebounding thanks to 10 boards by Noll and six from Harris.  Harris had a team-high five assists and three blocked shots while Stokes added three assists and a team-high three steals.
            Wayne State's next scheduled action is Friday when the Wildcats travel to Bismarck, North Dakota to battle the University of Mary at 7:30 p.m.