Wayne State University Athletics

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's basketball team (4-5 Overall, 4-5 GLIAC) played its second game of a two-game weekend series against Grand Valley State University (8-1 Overall, 8-1 GLIAC) on Sunday afternoon losing 61-49. This was WSU's third game without injured starter Grace George.

FIRST HALF RECAP
Grand Valley scored the first six points to start the game on back-to-back three pointers by Brooke McKinley and Hannah Kulas.

The Warriors were able to get on the board with a free throw from senior Tori Perez (Belleville, Mich.) to make the score 6-1.

GVSU never let Wayne State get closer than five points (16-11) in the first quarter.

After 10 minutes, WSU was down 18-11.

In the second period, the Warriors scored the first six points to get within one, 18-17.  Junior Kate Sherwood (Canton, Mich. / Belleville) had two buckets sandwiched around a lay-up by classmate Sam Cherney (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington).

A fast break three-pointer at the 3:42 mark in the second quarter from Becca Fugate (Holly, Mich.) pulled WSU within one at 21-20.

Grand Valley scored the last four points of the period to stay ahead of Wayne State, 25-20, at the half.

SECOND HALF RECAP
The Warriors started off the third period with a three pointer from Fugate off an assist from Perez to make the score 28-23.

Wayne State was able to get within four (28-24) at the 7:16 mark of the third quarter on a Sherwood free throw.

Over the last seven minutes of the third period, the teams combined for 31 points giving GVSU a 44-39 lead after 30 minutes.

In the fourth, junior Alexis Miller (Howell, Mich.) made a lay-up to put the Warriors within three, 44-41.

The Lakers scored 11 of the next 13 points to lead 55-43, before a jumper by Sherwood cut the deficit to 10, 55-45, with just over five minutes remaining.

WSU never managed to make a comeback at the end, falling 61-49.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Sherwood led with team-high totals of 15 points and three assists.  Fugate chipped in with 14 points and Cherney had a game-best 10 rebounds. 

LEADING THE LAKERS
Kulas had a game-high 18 points and three steals.  McKinley helped with 15 points and a game-high four assists.  Emily Spitzley had 13 points, six rebounds and three steals.

TEAM STATS
The Warriors shot 37% (18-of-49) from the field and 43% (6-of-14) from three-point range. The Lakers connected on 37% (10-of-27) from beyond the arc and 38% (22-of-58) of their field goals.  GVSU held a slim 33-32 edge in rebounding.  Grand Valley State had a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers as Wayne State had 16 turnovers to Grand Valleys 11 miscues.

UP NEXT
The Warriors will play at Purdue Northwest on Friday, Feb. 5 at 4 PM and Saturday, Feb.6 at 1 PM.  Both times listed are Eastern.