Nov. 19, 2011

Detroit, Mich. – It was an afternoon of firsts in the Wayne State University women's basketball team's thrilling 70-67 comeback victory over Lake Superior State University (2-2) in a non-conference bout on Saturday.

Along with starting 2-0 for the first time since 1994, the Warriors won their third in a row over the Lakers for the first time since WSU won five straight spanning from 1983 until 1985.

In the final minute, junior forward Maria Blazejewski gave the Lakers a one-point lead with 43 seconds left, however, junior Deanna Crumpton (East Kentwood, Mich. / East Kentwood) answered right back burying a bucket from inside the key with 28 seconds remaining

From there, Sarah Cubr's two, three-point attempts hit iron, and Crumpton came up with the second missed shot and was fouled. She proceeded to make both shots from the free-throw line and Cubr's desperation heave fell short as time expired.

Crumpton finished with 11 points and six rebounds, while fellow junior forward Phaebre Colbert (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Northern) posted team-high totals in points (16) and rebounds (7).

Point guard Stefani Munro (Harrison Twp., Mich. / Mount Clemens (George Washington)) tallied 13 points and two assists, while freshman guard Deiona Rogers (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Union) was a spark off the bench chipping in nine points, five rebounds and four assists.

Down 47-36, five minutes into the second half, the Warriors turned up the defensive pressure holding the Lakers to one field goal over the next  5:57 as the WSU offense piled up 20 points to take a six-point lead (56-50) following a jumper from Crumpton with 9:14 to go.

After trading baskets over the next 4:51, seven of Lake Superior's ensuing nine points would come from the charity stripe giving the Warriors a one-point lead (66-65) with 1:54 left.

Wayne State visits Malone University on Monday for a 5:30 p.m. against the Pioneers.