Wayne State matched a season low by shooting just 35.9 percent from the field as the Wildcats saw their five-game win streak come to an end Thursday evening in a 60-57 NSIC South Division men's basketball loss at Winona State.  The 'Cats slip to 14-9 and 10-7 in the league while host Winona State moves to 9-13 and 8-9 in NSIC games.
            The contest saw neither team lead by more than five points with 16 ties and 16 lead changes.  WSC held the lead for just over 16 minutes in the contest to Winona State's 14:33 in a contest controlled by the defenses on both sides.
            Neither team led by more than three points in the opening half.   
            WSC was in front 20-17 following a Matt Noll 3-pointer at the 8:15 mark.  But Winona State hit back-to-back treys and took their biggest lead of the half at 23-20 three minutes later.
            A Kai Smith 3-pointer right before halftime gave the 'Cats a 28-26 lead at the break despite shooting just 35 percent (11-31) in the first half as WSC held Winona State to only 27 percent shooting on 8 of 29.
            WSC held several four-point leads early in the second half with the final one coming at 34-30 with 16:28 remaining. 
            Winona State took their first lead of the second half at 40-38 but the 'Cats got two Aurrion Harris free throws and a basket by Smith to go back in front 42-40.
            Wayne State's last lead of the game came on a JJ Ferrin three-point play at the 8:03 mark putting WSC ahead 45-44.
            Later with the score tied at 49-49, the Warriors scored the next five points and took the biggest lead of the game at 54-49 with 1:34 to play.  The 'Cats got as close as two with seven seconds left on a Kai Smith basket 59-57, but Winona State was fouled and made one of two free throws for the final margin of 60-57.
            Smith led WSC in scoring with 15 points followed by Ferrin with 12.
            The Wildcats made just 23 of 64 shots for 35.9 percent, tying a season-low in field goal percentage.  WSC was just 6 for 28 behind the arc and 5-6 at the free throw line.
            Gavyn Hurley led Winona State with 19 points and 12 rebounds.  Ryan Heise, Tyler Mason and Jaron Crews each had 10 points.
            Winona State shot 35.8 percent making 19 of 53 shots.  The Warriors were 5-19 from 3-point range and 17-23 at the foul stripe.
            WSU won the rebounding battle over WSC 43-32.  Noll and Ben Kerkhoff each had seven boards.  Ferrin handed out five assists while Smith and Eldon Turner each had two steals. 
            WSC concludes their NSIC South Division road trip Saturday afternoon with a 3 p.m. contest at Concordia-St. Paul.