HAMMOND, Ind. -- The Wayne State University women's basketball squad (9-8 overall, 3-6 GLIAC) notched a 71-59 victory at Purdue Northwest (4-13 overall, 3-6 GLIAC) on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
WSU fell behind, 4-2, to start the contest, but scored six consecutive points to lead by four at the 6:20 mark (8-4). Sophomore
Grace George (DeWitt, Mich.) contributed six of the eight Green and Gold points. PNW made a layup, but senior
Sadia Johnson (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Central) responded with a bucket, followed by a point from the charity stripe (11-6). A five-point spurt by the Pride tied the score, 11-11, with 2:25 left in the period.  Senior
Nastassja Chambers (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Arbor Prep) regained the Warrior lead with a jump shot, however, Purdue Northwest made the final bucket of the quarter at the 1:56 mark to tie the score once again, 13-13.
Wayne State allowed five points to start the second stanza, before going on an eight-point run (21-18). A PNW triple tied the contest, 21-21, with 5:02 on the clock. Over the final 3:31 of the half, back-and-forth scoring equaled a total of six lead changes. During this time, Chambers tallied four points, while sophomore
Sam Cherney (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington) recorded three points. The Green and Gold had a one-point advantage at halftime (30-29). Johnson, George, and Chambers each contributed eight points in the first half.
The Pride tallied the first six points of the second half (35-30). Johnson drained a triple at the 7:41 mark. PNW made its own shot from beyond the arc, but senior
Alex Matus (Millbury, Ohio / Toledo Central Catholic) responded with a long-distance bucket to cut the deficit to two points (38-36). Over the next 3:01, back-and-forth buckets ended with a seven-point Purdue Northwest lead (49-42). Johnson, however, made back-to-back triples which made it a one-point game at the 2:10 mark. Including the six points by Johnson, the Green and Gold tallied 10 consecutive points to regain the lead (52-49). The Pride made a jump shot with 18 seconds left, but a buzzer beater by junior
Kara Wilson (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Huron) gave WSU a three-point advantage at the end of the stanza (54-51).
The Pride opened the final period with a layup at the 9:33 mark. Over the next 8:13, Wayne State held PNW scoreless while going on a nine-point spurt (63-53). During this time, Johnson led in scoring five points for the Green and Gold. Purdue Northwest drained a triple with 1:20 left in the game (63-56). The next five Warrior points came from the foul line to extend their lead to 12 points (68-56). A final three pointer made by the Pride was not enough for the home team. Wilson made a free throw with 26 seconds left and Chambers topped off the contest with a layup at the five-second mark. Wayne State tallied a 71-59 win at Purdue Northwest.
TEAM STATS
WSU shot 47 percent (27-of-58) from the floor, while the Pride scored 35 percent (24-of-69) from the field. The Warriors were 11-of-14 (79 percent) from the charity stripe, with PNW connecting on 100 percent (3-of-3) of their shots from the foul line. Wayne State had a 48-30 edge in rebounding, while also leading 10-4 in blocked shots.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Johnson scored a game-best 22 points, including five buckets from long distance. Chambers contributed 15 points and a season high of eight rebounds in her 100th career contest for the Green and Gold. George earned her eighth double-double of the year with 14 points and a game-best 11 boards. George led the team with a career-high four assists.  Cherney nearly had a double-double with 10 rebounds and nine points.
LEADING THE PRIDE
Danielle Nennig contributed a team-best 17 points, while connecting on three triples. Savaya Brockington led PNW in rebounding with seven boards. Anjel Galbraith dished out a game high of eight assists.
UP NEXT
The Warriors will host Saginaw Valley State on Thursday, Jan. 23rd, for a 5:30 p.m. contest.
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