A series of 22 regular season Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women’s and men’s basketball games began on the road for Wayne State College.
From the R/A Facility in Marshall, Minnesota, Wayne State College visited Southwest Minnesota State on Tuesday.
The Wayne State College women suffered a 75-71 loss at SMSU while the Wildcat men dropped a 76-56 decision against #18 Southwest Minnesota State.
In the women’s game, WSC fell to 2-2 (0-1 NSIC) while the host Mustangs moved to 6-0 (1-0 NSIC).
SMSU took the early first quarter lead, 18-15 while WSC answered with a 24-23 second quarter. At the break, Southwest Minnesota State led 41-39. The Mustangs extended their lead thanks to a 22-17 third quarter with the Wildcats winning the fourth, 15-12. Final favored Southwest Minnesota State winning 75-71.
Wayne State College leaders were junior Kylah Vandonkersgoed (10-21 FG/1-4 3PT/0-2FT) recorded a career-high 21 points, four rebounds and one steal; senior Maya Fitzpatrick (6-17 FG/0-4 3PT/2-2 FT) added 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks as senior Delaney Clark (4-6 FG/4-6 3PT) tallied 12 points, one rebound and three assists.
Other scoring came from senior Tate Norblade (six rebounds/one assist/two steals) followed with seven points; senior Carsyn Boswell (five rebounds/one assist/one steal) tacked on six points; sophomore Brooklyn Kruse totaled five points; junior Meg Rietz (seven rebounds/five assists) had four points as senior Abby Kopecky (two rebounds/three assists) finished with two points.
The Wildcats shot 28-70 (40%) from the field, 5-17 (29.4%) from the three-point line and 10-18 (55.6%) from the charity stripe.
SMSU was led in scoring by Peyton Blandin with 27 points, Audrey Swanson added 19 points and seven rebounds as Kenzie Jones tacked on 14 points.
Southwest Minnesota State finished 31-62 (50%) from the floor, 2-9 (22.2%) from behind the arc and 11-13 (84.6%) at the foul line.
SMSU outrebounded WSC, 40-38 including five to 11 on the offensive glass which led to seven second chance points compared to 14 second chance points for the Wildcats. WSC scored 12 points off of 13 Mustang turnovers while SMSU scored 13 points off of nine Wildcat turnovers.
SMSU won the battle in the paint (58-42) and bench scoring (20-19) while WSC won fast break scoring (5-2).
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During the men’s outing, WSC suffered their first loss of the season at 5-1 (0-1 NSIC) while the host and 18th ranked Mustangs moved to 5-1 (1-0 NSIC).
SMSU built a 17-point lead late in the first half as WSC cut the lead down to 36-29 at the break. Wayne State College ended up taking a five-point lead early in the second half before the Mustangs took control with a 40-27 second half. Final favored #18 Southwest Minnesota State winning 76-56.
Wayne State College leaders were senior Cody McCullough (6-8 FG/3-4 FT) posted a team-high 15 points, seven rebounds, two steals and one assist; junior transfer Kai Smith (5-12 FG/3-8 3PT/0-1 FT) followed with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals as freshman Matt Noll (4-8 FG/4-4 FT) added 12 points, three rebounds and six steals.
Other scoring came from senior Jay Saunders (three rebounds/two assists/one block) tallied six points; four-point scoring came from senior Sean Stokes (four rebounds/three assists/one steal) and sophomore JJ Ferrin (two rebounds/two assists/one steal) as senior Noah Erickson (four rebounds) closed with two points.
The Wildcats shot 21-59 (35.6%) from the field, 4-27 (14.8%) from the three-point line and 10-13 (76.9%) from the charity stripe.
SMSU was led in scoring by Steven Kramer with 18 points and eight rebounds, Mason Lund added 16 points and seven rebounds, Mekhi Shaw followed with 15 points and four assists as Jakob Braaten tallied 11 points.
Southwest Minnesota State finished 28-48 (58.3%) from the floor, 7-18 (38.9%) from behind the arc and 13-20 (65%) at the foul line.
SMSU outrebounded WSC, 38-28 including eight to 11 on the offensive glass which led to 10 second chance points compared to 12 second chance points for the Wildcats. WSC scored 12 points off of 14 Mustang turnovers while SMSU scored 14 points off of 11 Wildcat turnovers.
Southwest Minnesota State won the battle in the paint (38-30), fast break scoring (14-4) and bench scoring (19-15).
The Wayne State College women will next host William Jewell College (MO) on Wednesday, November 27 at 4 p.m. while the WSC men will next host Clarke University (IA) on Saturday, November 30 at 3 p.m.
Both teams will next be in NSIC action on Friday, Dec. 6 hosting Minnesota State-Mankato at 5:30/7:30 p.m. before welcoming Winona State on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3:30/5:30 p.m.
