Nov. 21, 2010

Kenosha, Wis. – The idea of playing a tough non-conference schedule is to prepare for conference play. It is why the Wayne State women's basketball team ventured to face the top talent in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

Despite four straight losses to start the season, which included a 77-60 defeat at the hands of preseason GLVC North favorite Wisconsin-Parkside (3-0) on Sunday afternoon, things are looking up for the Warriors (0-4, 0-0 GLIAC South).

Wayne State controlled the tempo early on, climbing out to a 12-4 lead with 12:50 left in the first half. However, after a Ranger timeout, the home team looked more in sync, charging back to within four points. 

A steal and a bucket from Smith with 8:12 remaining in the half gave the Warriors a 22-14 advantage, but the momentum did not stick. Two triples from junior Jadee Rooney put the Rangers within one with 5:59 left. 

Rooney's outside shooting along with the play of senior Brittany Hogan and junior Brittany Beyer gave Wayne State fits all game. 

The turning point in the contest came when Wisconsin-Parkside ended the final five minutes of the first half on a 14-2 run, giving the Rangers a 39-30 halftime lead. Hogan, Beyer and Rooney combined for 10 points during that span. 

Down nine to start the second half, the Warriors were unable cut the deficit to lower than six, and the Rangers finally pulled away, taking a 64-47 lead with 5:45 to go.

Junior Kiara Smith (Detroit, Mich. / Renaissance) broke her career-high point total set Friday night at Lewis (11/19), tallying 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Fellow junior, Felicia Thomas (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Central) tied a career-high with 15 points and sophomore Paige Sickmiller (Washington, Mich. / Romeo) chipped in nine and four rebounds.

Hogan led UWP with a game-high 19 points, including an 11-for-12 afternoon from the free-throw line. Beyer had 16 points and Rooney 15, knocking down three triples.

WSU will end its early season non-conference play with its fifth straight road game this Saturday (11/27) at Northern Kentucky. Tip is set for 2:00 p.m. EST.

Warrior Notes

* The Warriors tied a season-high with 13 steals.
* The bench chipped in 25 points for the Warriors.
* Deanna Crumpton tied a career-high with five steals.