The Warriors will play at home against Central State and be on the road vs. Ashland.

Women's Basketball 11/23/2021 1:10:00 PM Zachary Manning, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Women's Basketball Finishes Up Non-Conference Slate with Central State and Ashland

A pair of wins against the Marauders and Eagles would give the Warriors their first undefeated non-conference since the 2014-15 campaign.

STORYLINES
Wayne State is looking to open its season 4-0 for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. After two double-digit victories to open the year, the Warriors downed Cedarville by two (85-83) in overtime on Nov. 17. The Green and Gold will play host to Central State on Wednesday, before hitting the road to play at former conference foe Ashland on Sunday.

A pair of wins against the Marauders and Eagles would give the Warriors their first undefeated non-conference since the 2014-15 campaign. WSU went 23-6 overall and made the NCAA Tournament that season.

SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors have won four straight against Central State, and seven of the last eight, but still trail 8-9 in the all-time series vs. the Marauders. CSU won eight of the first nine meetings between 1988 and 1998. Wayne State is 5-4 at home vs. Central State after winning the last four match-ups in Detroit.

WSU ended a 12-game losing streak against Ashland by winning the most recent meeting, 65-64, on Feb. 16, 2021, at the Matthaei. AU holds a 43-16 edge in the all-time series. The Warriors are 6-24 at Kates Gymnasium having lost seven straight since an 87-78 victory on Dec. 18, 2013.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Central State doesn't have a go-to player, as the Marauders rely on more of a team game. In just two games this season, 13 players have seen the court with 10 of those averaging more than 10 minutes per contest.

Leading the way is Kenedi London. She has not started either of CSU's two games, but is the team's leading scorer at 13.5 points per contest. She is also tied for the team lead in steals (5)and ranks as the team's leader in free-throw percentage (8-of-10 / .800).

Cathryn Jones is another double-digit scorer for the Marauders, as she averages 11.5 points per game and has made a team-high five triples. Katarina Maros is averaging a team-best 10.5 rebounds per contest.

Ashland takes a 3-0 overall record into Wednesday's contest at Southern Indiana.

Through three games this season, Annie Roshak is leading the Eagles in scoring (24.3 PPG), rebounds (5.3 RPG), three-pointers made (3) and is a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line.

AU has one other double-digit scorer in Macy Spielman. Spielman has come off the bench in all three outings, but she's been making the most of her minutes. She is averaging 10.3 points per game on 53 percent shooting (8-of-15) and averages 17 minutes per contest.

CLOSE ONE in CEDARVILLE
Trailing by seven entering the fourth quarter, WSU used a strong final period and then overtime frame to knock off Cedarville on the road on Nov. 17.

Leading the way was freshman Shea Tripp, who poured in a career-high 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field, including 2-of-2 from three-point range.

Senior Sam Cherney was excellent on the defensive end, coming away with five steals and four blocks. She also added 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Seniors Alexis Miller and Kate Sherwood, along with graduate student Tori Perez also reached double figures in scoring for the Warriors.

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 became the 36th player in Wayne State women's basketball history to play in 100 career games, with her appearance against Cedarville on Nov. 17. The last Warrior to reach the century mark was Nastassja Chambers in 2020.

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"; Junior

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

#10 Alexis Miller: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#44 Tori Perez: F; 5' 10"; Senior

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

#10 Alexis Miller
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#44 Tori Perez
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

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

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