Wayne State got a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left from Kai Smith to send the game into overtime, but the Wildcats could not offset 74.3 percent second half and overtime shooting from host Sioux Falls as the Cougars outlasted the Wildcats in overtime 119-114 Wednesday evening in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball played in Sioux Falls at the Stewart Center.  WSC drops to 14-13 overall and 10-11 in the NSIC while USF is also 14-13 on the season and 11-10 in league play. 
It was the second-highest scoring game in WSC history as the two teams combined for 233 points, trailing only the 235 combined points scored when Nebraska-Kearney beat the Wildcats 118-117 in double overtime on January 20, 1976. 
            Both teams entered the game at 10-10 in the league and tied for seventh place in the NSIC and a spot to host a first-round NSIC Tournament game next week.
            The Wildcats led a majority of the first half and held their biggest lead of the game at 13 – 23-10 – with 13:17 remaining in the half following a Darshan Thomas jumper.
            WSC still held a 10-point advantage at 33-23 with just over seven minutes to play in the half when the host Cougars battled back and tied the score at 39-39 with 1:22 to go before halftime, but WSC ended the first half with a 45-43 lead into the locker room.
            Sioux Falls opened the second half with a 12-3 run to take the lead for good at 55-48 with 16:22 left.
            The 'Cats slowly chipped away at the deficit and evened the score at 73-73 on a Matt Noll basket at the 7:40 mark. 
            USF continued their torrid shooting in the second half and held an eight-point lead 92-84 with 2:04 to play.
            Senior guard Kai Smith kept the 'Cats within reach in the final two minutes, sinking several key 3-pointers.  USF made one of two free throws with five seconds left for a 101-98 lead and Smith launched a trey from the right wing that was good with 0.7 seconds left sending the game into overtime at 101-101.
            The host Cougars connected on a pair of 3-pointers to open overtime and never trailed in the extra session.  Down seven twice in the overtime, WSC got as close as three at 117-114 on a JJ Ferrin trey with 1:00 to play.  USF made a couple of free throws late to clinch the wild 119-114 overtime win over the 'Cats.
            Smith scored a Wayne State career-high 26 points to lead the Wildcats, going 7 of 13 from the field and 8 for 11 at the line.  Redshirt freshman Darshan Thomas added a career-best 24 points off the bench making 7 of 11 shots and 10 for 11 at the free throw line.
            Ferrin ended with 19 points followed by Andrew Stokes with 14, Aurrion Harris 12 and Noll 10.
            WSC made 41 of 80 shots for 51.3 percent, hitting 10 of 22 behind the arc and 22-28 at the stripe.
            For Sioux Falls, freshman guard Brogan Madson had 45 points followed by Taylen Ashley with 30.  Kyle Ingwerson scored 15 with Jacoby Mehrman (13) and Gerard Bosch (11) also hitting double figures.
            Sioux Falls shot a sizzling 63.2 percent for the game making 43 of 68 shots.  The Cougars were 74 percent in the second half and overtime making 26 of 35 shots.  USF was 8-21 from the 3-point line and 25-36 at the free throw line.
            WSC held a 39-34 edge in rebounding thanks to 10 boards from Harris, who had his sixth double-double of the season.  Noll was credited with five assists while Harris had two steals and two blocked shots. 
            The Wildcats conclude the NSIC regular season Saturday afternoon hosting Southwest Minnesota State in Rice Auditorium at 3 p.m.