Kenosha, Wis. -- The Wayne State University women's basketball team (13-7 overall, 8-4 GLIAC) defeated the University of Wisconsin-Parkside (12-7 overall, 7-5 GLIAC) 73-64.  The win marks the fourth straight for the Green and Gold.

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST QUARTER
Both squads exchanged lay-ups, as Taylor Thompson (Grand Blanc, Mich.) scored on the game's opening possession, with UWP's Cassidy Arni finding the bottom of the net for the Rangers.  The two teams matched each other point-for-point (7-7), until a lay-in from Sheridan Flauger began an eight-point run, putting UWP ahead 15-7.  A triple from McKenna Ferguson (Grandville, Mich. / Byron Center) and a mid-range jumper from Gabi Lutchka (Grass Lake, Mich.) shortened the Warrior deficit to three (15-12), but Parkside pushed their lead to seven after four straight points.  Shea Tripp (Jackson, Mich. / Michigan Center) halted the short Ranger run, netting a jumper.  After five points from the visitors, and four from UWP, the Warriors entered the second quarter trailing by four (23-19).

SECOND QUARTER
The second stanza was dominated by WSU as the Green and Gold out-scored Parkside 21-5.  Those five points are the least the Wayne State has allowed in a quarter since its contest vs. Edinboro University earlier this season (12/11/24) when the Warriors held the Fighting Scots to just four points in the second period.

The potent offense in the second stanza was led by Jaci Tubergen (Hudsonville, Mich. / Hudsonville [Bowling Green]).  The junior splashed two back-to-back long-range jumpers for six points.  Tripp, Ferguson, Thompson and Alyssa Leister (St. Louis, Mich. / Alma) all scored in the quarter, with Tripp hauling in six rebounds.  After 20 minutes of action, WSU held a 40-28 lead.

THIRD QUARTER
The Rangers got on the board first in the third period, as Arni netted a triple to shrink their margin to single digits (40-31).  Wayne State responded with a six-point spurt that included a Tripp lay-up and four points from Thompson.  Chloe Van Zeeland stopped the UWP drought that lasted just over three minutes, fighting through contact and making a lay-in.  Ferguson pushed the Warrior advantage back to 15, the largest of the game, but two quick Parkside buckets cut that lead to 11 (48-37).  The Rangers out-paced WSU 9-7 to close the quarter with the visitors on top 55-46.

FOURTH QUARTER
Ferguson sank one of her two free throws to begin the final quarter.  Arni made another bucket, bringing Parkside back within single-digits of the visitors (56-48).  Five WSU points forced a timeout for UWP.  Following the timeout, both teams traded blows, with scores in four straight possessions as UWP tallied five points while the Green and Gold notched four.  After an empty trip down the court for both squads, Van Zeeland (Parkside) found the bottom of the net on a lay-up, which would be the last points for either team for nearly two minutes.  Tripp knocked down a free throw to begin the scoring once again.  Parkside scored nine of the next 10 points, pulling within four points of Wayne State (68-64).  The Warriors closed the game by scoring the final five points of the contest, earning their sixth win in the last seven games.

TEAM STATS
The Warriors made 49 percent of their shots (28-of-57) compared to UWP's 44 percent (24-of-55).  From beyond the arc, Wayne state went 8-of-16 (50 percent) to Parkside's 6-of-14 (43 percent).  Both squads had 13 attempts at the charity strip, with the Rangers sinking 10 and the Green and Gold making nine.  WSU out-rebounded the hosts 32-30.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Three Wayne State student-athletes scored double-digit points, as Ferguson (19), Tripp (18), and Thompson (15) all reached that mark.  Tripp earned a double-double as she grabbed 10 boards to go along with her 18 points and had a team-best seven assists.  Thompson was one rebound shy of a double-double, nabbing nine.  Jaci Tubergen tied a career-best with eight points, playing in a career-high 23 minutes.

LEADING THE RANGERS
Chloe Van Zeeland led the charge for UWP, scoring 16 points.  Lillie Petersen posted a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.  Peighton Nelson dished out a team-best six assists.

UP NEXT
The Wayne State women's basketball team will return home to host Michigan Tech University on Thursday, February 5, with a 5:30 PM tip-off.