GAMES 21 & 22 STORYLINES
Wayne State was upended by the GLIAC-leading Ashland Eagles, 112-75, last Thursday, but helped complicate the GLIAC playoff picture on Saturday by surprising Lake Erie, who was then a half game out of second in the South Division. The Warriors came from behind to earn the much needed 67-64 victory at home.
Meanwhile, both Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech are coming off Saturday losses to Northwood and Hillsdale, respectively.
The Warriors have scored 70 or more points in five of their last seven contests.
They will finish out the regular season playing all GLIAC North opponents.
ALL-TIME SERIES
WSU trails Northern Michigan 27-18 in the all time series, though the Warrirors squeaked out a 59-57 victory the last time the teams connected.
Michigan Tech has won seven straight meetings against Wayne State and holds a 34-15 all-time advantage over the Warriors. The last WSU win over the Huskies came Jan. 18, 2007, in Detroit (62-61).
ASHLAND RECAP
Wayne State suffered its fourth loss in the last five games, 112-75, to ninth-ranked Ashland on Thursday night at the Matthaei.
While the Warriors were only outscored, 46-39, in the second half, it was the Eagles' 66 first-half points which led them to their 17th consecutive victory and their eighth in the last nine meetings with Wayne State. Ashland also set school records for points and three-pointers.
WSU went over the 70-point mark for the fourth straight game, and had its bench contribute 42 of the team's 75 points. Eight Warriors had at least six points, led by
Paige Sickmiller and
Chloe Srebernak who had 12 and 10, respectively.
LAKE ERIE RECAP
Wayne State upended visiting Lake Erie by a 67-64 score Saturday afternoon at the Matthaei.
The Warriors trailed the entire first half with the Storm's lead of seven (31-24) at intermission being their largest lead.
WSU's deficit reached nine in the first 30 seconds of the second half before a 7-0 Warrior run cut the margin to two.
A baseline triple by Sickmiller with 15:25 remaining put WSU ahead for the first time at 40-39. Her fast break jumper a minute later was followed by a feed from Sickmiller to
Deanna Crumpton for a lay-up.
Juanita Cochran added a lay-up and Crumpton made a pair of foul shots to complete an 11-0 Wayne State spurt.
Seven consecutive Lake Erie points cut the WSU lead to two points with just under two minutes remaining. The Warriors'
Amelia Davis made the first of two in a one-and-one situation with 17.2 seconds left. Stephanie Rogers scored with 8.8 seconds left making it a one-point game at 65-64. Thomas then sank both free throws with 7.2 seconds remaining increasing the WSU lead to three (67-64).
Lake Erie's final chance to tie was negated when Cate Cianchetti stepped out of bounds with one second left.
ON THE BENCH
Carrie Lohr is 11-9 as the head coach of the women's basketball program. She was named the 12th head coach in program history on May 11 after serving as the head coach at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) in Port Huron for nine seasons (2002-11). Lohr had a record of 166-106 (.610) in her nine years with the Skippers.
Northern Michigan alumnus Troy Mattson is in his seventh season at the helm of the Wildcats women's basketball team and has a record of 80-102.
Michigan Tech alumna Kim Cameron is in her second season with the Huskies and is coming off a NCAA Championship game appearance. She has a record of 39-6.
SCOUTING NORTHERN MICHIGAN
The Wildcats enter Thursday's game on a four-game losing streak. Last week, the Wildcats lost at Hillsdale (68-62) and at Northwood (63-55).
Senior guard Chelsea Lyons leads the Wildcats and ranks eighth in the GLIAC in scoring (14.2 points per game). She also leads NMU in rebounding (5.7 rpg), and steals (2.4 spg). She is second on the team in field goal percentage (45.5%; 86-189).
Freshman center Courtney Lemon leads the team with 16 blocks.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN TECH
In the season after finishing second in the nation, the Huskies are 6-1 at home, but they are coming off a road loss against Hillsdale last Saturday (82-77). Junior guard Sam Hoyt leads the team in scoring (15.0 ppg).
Senior center Lynn Giesler ranks fifth in the GLIAC in field goal percentage (51.1%).
Junior guard Emma Veach is the team's leading rebounder at 6.6 rpg, but has missed the last six games.
Senior forward Lindsey Lindstrom is a close second at 6.2 rpg in all 18 games for the Huskies.
