DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball team (7-3 overall, 5-1 GLIAC) remained a top the GLIAC standings with a 64-53 triumph over visiting Northwood University (6-4 overall, 3-3 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon at the Matthaei.

The Warriors started strong scoring the first six points of the contest on a lay-up by junior Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) and back-to-back buckets by junior Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich./Warren Woods Tower).

NU's Dorian Pierce made three triples in a three minute span to turn a 9-4 deficit into a 15-13 Timberwolve lead.  WSU senior Bryan Wright (Warren, Ohio/Harding) drained a three-pointer to put the hosts ahead 16-15.

Wayne State's offense went nearly five minutes without scoring allowing a 7-0 Northwood run until a jumper by Wright made it a four-point contest (22-18) with 3:41 left in the first half.

Wright's second triple of the opening 20 minutes pulled WSU within one, but NU had a 5-2 run to end the first half. 

Northwood had 11 turnovers in the first half and shot 41 percent (9-of-22) from the floor.  Meanwhile, WSU shot 31 percent (10-of-32) and trailed by three (26-23) despite being out-rebounded 22-14.

After seven lead changes in the first half, there were four in the first three minutes of the second half.

The Timberwolves had their largest lead of the game (7, 38-31) with 15:42 left in the contest following a triple by Pierce.

Wayne State responded with an 11-2 run over the next 6:20 to take a 42-40 lead on a lay-up by Udanoh.

A jumper by NU's Lionel Sullivan and a lay-up by Booker Stoudmire following a trio of turnovers gave the vistors its final lead at 44-42 with eight minutes remaining.

A jumper by junior Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) knotted the game at 44, while his free throw to complete the conventional three-point play put the Warriors ahead to stay.

Following a missed jumper by NU, Smothers sank two foul shots.  Sullivan hit a jumper in the paint, but senior Larry Edwards (Benton Harbor, Mich.) answered with his lone triple of the contest.

Another Sullivan hoop cut the WSU lead to two (50-48), but the Warriors responded with a 6-1 run over the next 98 seconds for a 56-49 advantage.

Wayne State made 8-of-10 free throw attempts in the final 3:12 to seal the win.

Wright led three Warriors in double figures with 18 points.  Udanoh added 16 points and a team-best six rebounds, while Smothers contributed 13 points.

Pierce made seven triples and finished with a game-high 27 points, but had five of Northwood's 25 turnovers.  Sullivan had 14 points and tied for game-high rebounding honors with teammate Chris Johnson at 11.

Wayne State will play its next two games on the road at South Division rivals Findlay (Jan. 7) and Hillsdale (Jan. 9).

Notes:

Wayne State is 5-1 in the GLIAC, while Ferris State and Lake Superior are both 4-1.  The Lakers play at Saginaw Valley later this evening.

Ike Udanoh tied a career-high with three steals.  He also set a WSU season-high in field goal percentage (.778) on 7-of-9.

The win snapped WSU's three-game losing streak against Northwood.  The Warriors last series win was 58-45 at home on Dec. 6, 2007.

Bryan Wright scored in double figures for the ninth consecutive time this year and 27th in his WSU career. Bryan Smothers reached double digits for the eighth time this season and 24th in his Green and Gold career.

Wayne State has won three in a row, and is 5-0 at home this year.

The 25 turnovers by Northwood were the second most WSU forced this year -- NU had 26 in its double overtime win on Dec. 9 against the Warriors.

The 53 points allowed by Wayne State were the second fewest this year -- Northern Michigan scored 48 on Dec. 17.

The 19 field goals made by Northwood equals a season low for a WSU opponent -- Lewis also made 19 on Dec. 12.