Cedarville and Wayne State are both undefeated to start the season.

Women's Basketball 11/17/2021 9:00:00 AM Zachary Manning, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Women's Basketball Getting Set for Road Test Against Cedarville

The Warriors had two double-digit victories in the GLIAC/GMAC Challenge

STORYLINES
Wayne State is off to a 2-0 start, thanks to a pair of wins in the GLIAC/GMAC Challenge. The Warriors downed Lake Erie by 30 (75-45) on Nov. 13, while taking down GMAC preseason favorite Walsh 82-64 the following day. Walsh entered the game receiving votes in the preseason WBCA Coaches Poll.

The Warriors will be on the road for the first time this season, with a contest at Cedarville on Wednesday. The Warriors then return home for a pre-Thanksgiving game against Central State. Tip for that contest is set for 1 PM on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Cedarville enters Wednesday's match-up with an unblemished record, as the Yellow Jackets have been impressive scoring the basketball.

Cedarville scored 88 points in both of its wins this season. The first was a 51-point blowout of Lake Superior State (88-37), while the second scoring outburst came in an 88-82 overtime win over Southern Indiana. Both of those contests were at Cedarville.

Though it is early in the season, the Yellow Jackets seem to have found their trio of scorers. Isabelle Bolender has been their leading scorer through two games, averaging 19.5 points per game on 68.2% shooting (15-of-22). Bolender's is also averaging five rebounds per contest.

Paige Garr and Emily Chapman have been aiding the offensive attack, with both averaging more than 13 points per game early in the season. Chapman is also strong on the defensive end of the court, as she leads the team with five steals. As a team, Cedarville has 23 steals and eight blocks.

The Warriors are 3-0 all-time against Cedarville, with the most recent victory coming at home on Dec. 21, 2019. The Green and Gold eked out a 75-72 win.

GLIAC/GMAC CHALLENGE RECAP
Wayne State was able to play all of its available players in a season-opening win against Lake Erie on Nov. 13.

The Warriors cruised to a 30-point victory over the Storm, with Kate Sherwood and Shea Tripp leading the way with 14 points apiece.

Though the ball wasn't going in the basket for Sam Cherney, she was still able to make her presence felt, collecting a game-high 14 rebounds, while blocking five shots.

The following day, the Green and Gold continued that opening game momentum, storming out to a 30-8 first quarter lead. WSU would eventually go on to defeat Walsh 82-64.

Cherney had no problem putting the ball in the basket against the Cavaliers, as she poured in a career-high 25 points, while grabbing 17 rebounds and blocking four shots. Cherney was 12-of-16 from the field.

Tori Perez and Becca Fugate also hit double figures for the Warriors, with Perez scoring 15 and Fugate tallying 13 points. The duo combined to also add 12 rebounds and seven assists.

Alexis Miller played a pivotal role in the game, logging a game-high 37 minutes. She had nine points, eight rebounds and five assists.

TABBED FOR THIRD
In the GLIAC Preseason poll, the Warriors were picked to finish third in the South Division behind Grand Valley State and Northwood.

Both of those teams received first-place votes. Michigan Tech and Ferris State were the top two teams in the North Division. Both of those squads received first-place votes.

REACHING THE CENTURY MARK
Graduate student Tori Perez will become the 36th player in Wayne State women's basketball history to play in 100 career games with her next appearance. The last Warrior to reach the century mark was Nastassja Chambers in 2020.

DEFEATING DETROIT
Wayne State opened the 2021-22 campaign with an exhibition win at Division 1 foe Detroit Mercy. The Warriors took down Detroit Mercy 73-66 in overtime on Nov. 4.

Shea Tripp provided the game-tying bucket to send things into overtime, where the Warriors outclassed the Titans 10-3 in the deciding period.

Leading the way for WSU was Kate Sherwood, who poured in 17 points and added four steals. Aiding Sherwood was Sam Cherney, who posted a double-double. She tallied 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Lead guards Alexis Miller and Becca Fugate combined to score 24 points, while the newcomer Tripp was strong in her debut, dropping 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds.

LEADING THE WAY IN 2020-21
WSU tied-for-19th nationally in blocks per game (4.5), ranked 15th in total blocks (90), and 22nd in rebounding margin (+6.5) a year ago. The Warriors led the GLIAC in all of those categories.

Sam Cherney led the GLIAC in total blocks (53), blocks per game (2.65), defensive rebounds per game (7.5), double-doubles (8), offensive rebounds per game (4.3), total rebounds (238) and rebounds per game (11.9).

Nationally, the bruising forward was fifth in total blocks, ninth in blocks per game, 10th in offensive rebounds per game, 11th in total rebounds, 19th in rebounds per game, 26th in defensive rebounds per game and 27th in double-doubles.

Additionally, Kate Sherwood was 13th nationally with an .891 free-throw percentage (49-of-55).

WARRIOR COACHES
Assistant coach Karen Lafata, who holds three degrees from Wayne State, has been with head coach Carrie Lohr for all 10-plus seasons. Assistant coach Christina Green joined the coaching staff in the summer of 2019 as a graduate assistant coach and was elevated to a full-time assistant coach this past spring. Green played basketball for the Warriors between 2013 and 2017 scoring in double figures 19 times.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Sam Cherney: F; 6' 3"; Senior

#4 Becca Fugate: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#10 Alexis Miller: G; 5' 7"; Graduate Student

#44 Tori Perez: F; 5' 10"; Graduate Student

#21 Kate Sherwood: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#23 Shea Tripp: F; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Sam Cherney
: 6' 3"; Senior
: F

#4 Becca Fugate
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#10 Alexis Miller
: 5' 7"; Graduate Student
: G

#44 Tori Perez
: 5' 10"; Graduate Student
: F

#21 Kate Sherwood
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#23 Shea Tripp
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: F