SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Wayne State University women's basketball squad (4-2 overall, 0-2 GLIAC) suffered a 55-40 setback Saturday afternoon at Lake Superior State University (2-4 overall, 1-1 GLIAC).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Warriors cold shooting in the opening seven minutes (1-for-13 from the floor, including 0-for-7 from beyond the arc) led to a 12-2 deficit.  A lay-up by senior guard Brittany Streetman (Warren, Mich. / Lincoln) ended WSU's second scoreless drought of at least three minutes in the first quarter.
 
Wayne State held the host Lakers scoreless for the final 3:30 of the first period to pull within six (12-6) after 10 minutes.
 
LSSU scored five of the first nine points of the second stanza, before going on a 7-0 run to take a 24-10 lead with just over four minutes left before halftime.  A triple by sophomore Shannon Wilson (West Bloomfield, Mich. / Bloomfield Hills) ended the spurt.
 
The Warriors trailed 26-15 at intermission after shooting just 23 percent (7-of-30) from the field in the first half, including just 1-of-10 from three-point range.  Meanwhile, Lake Superior made 37 percent (10-of-27) from the floor and 4-of-13 from beyond the arc.
 
WSU trailed by nine to 13 points (31-18) until ending the stanza on an 8-2 run to pull within seven (33-26) after three periods.  Freshman guard India Hawkins (Detroit, Mich. / Edison) scored five points during the run.
 
After a lay-up by sophomore Nina Foster (Lansing, Mich. / Everett) early in the fourth quarter, Lake Superior scored the next nine points to increase its margin to 15 (43-28).
 
WSU answered with a 9-2 run keyed by jumpers from Shannon Wilson and Foster, two free throws by Hawkins and concluding with a Streetman shot from beyond the arc.
 
LSSU responded with an 8-0 run with all eight points coming from the charity stripe to seal the win.
 
WSU LEADERS
Three Warriors tied for team-high scoring honors with seven points each – senior guard Kristen Long (Durand, Mich.), Hawkins and Shannon Wilson.
 
Junior forward Christina Green (Southfield, Mich. / Lathrup) grabbed a team-best nine rebounds, while chipping in six points off the bench.
 
Streetman dished out a team-best three assists.
 
TEAM STATS RECAP
WSU shot 28 percent (16-of-57) from the floor compared to 32 percent (15-of-47) for Lake Superior.
 
The Lakers made seven triples in 26 attempts (27 percent), while the Warriors connected three times from long range in 21 attempts (14 percent).
 
Wayne State made just 5-of-10 free throws (50 percent) with LSSU shooting a sizzling 86 percent (18-of-21) from the charity stripe.
 
LEADING THE OPPOSITION
Mackenzie Edwards totaled a game-high 12 points to lead four Lakers in double figures.  Megan Manninen led LSSU with game-best totals of seven assists and three steals.
 
UP NEXT
Wayne State will begin a three-game homestand on Thursday, Dec. 10 with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off against GLIAC rival Northern Michigan.  The game will be televised live on Comcast/CN 900 with Sean Baligian, Rod Beard and Joe Abramson calling the action.