Alec Millender hit a game winning 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to help the Wayne State men’s basketball team take down in-state rival University of Nebraska-Kearney Monday at Rice Auditorium, 67-64.
The first half saw both teams battle closely. Wayne State built a five point lead, 9-4, three minutes into the game but UNK responded, taking a 12-10 into the first media timeout with 13:55 remaining in the first half.
Wayne State took the lead back 15-13 on a Millender 3-pointer with 11:07 left in the initial period. The Wildcats pushed the lead up to eight points with 7:09 on the clock, forcing a UNK timeout with Wayne State leading 26-18.
The Lopers took their biggest lead of the first half at 38-33 with 1:45 remaining, ending the first half up 40-38.
The second half saw three ties in the first five minutes, and UNK led 49-47 heading into the first media timeout. The Lopers pushed the lead up to six at 53-47 at the 11:27 mark before Wayne State brought it back within one 53-52 a minute later.
With 5:01 remaining, Millender hit a three to put WSC up one 60-59. The two teams exchanged blows the next four minutes before knotting up the score 64-64 with a minute to play. Wayne State caused a turnover from the Lopers and then took a timeout with 32 seconds to play. Millender hit the game-winning three with 12 seconds left in the ball game and forced a UNK timeout. Wayne State shut down the Lopers on the final possession, not allowing UNK to get a shot up.
Millender led Wayne State’s offense with 12 points and five assists. Jordan Janssen had a double-double for the Wildcats with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Eagins added 11 points while Cody McCullough had 10 points to go with nine rebounds.
Wayne State, 4-3, hosts Southwest Minnesota State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
