The Wayne State women continued their winning ways, claiming their seventh straight win as the Wildcat basketball teams split Saturday’s action at Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn.
In the women’s game, Maggie Schulte had her second straight double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Haley Moore tossed in a career-high 20 to help Wayne State to its seventh straight NSIC win, taking a 70-55 decision over the Mustangs.
Wayne State (12-3, 7-3 NSIC) trailed 9-4 early in the game, but used a 12-0 run to take the lead for good and avenge an earlier loss to Minnesota State.
Wayne State broke open a four-point halftime advantage with a big third-quarter surge, outscoring the Mavericks 25-10. A 9-1 run midway through the period pushed the lead to 13 points and the Wildcats didn’t look back from there.
Wayne State hit 78.9 percent (15-of-19) from the free throw line to win their seventh straight conference game and move within a game of first place in the NSIC South Division. Wayne native Katie Hoskins had six rebounds and three assists in the win.
In men’s action, the Wildcats hung tough with the host Mavericks, but a 14-1 run midway through the second half helped the Mavericks come away with a 87-78 win over the Wildcats.
The game was close most of the way. Wayne State led 21-17 midway through the first half on a 3-pointer by Brian Goodwin, and took its biggest lead at 39-31 late in the half on two free throws by Matt Thomas. Wayne State led 41-36 at intermission.
Minnesota State scored the first eight points to open the second half and take the lead for good. Wayne State got within two on an Austin Esters layup with 14:50 to go, but Minnesota State used a 14-1 run to take a 15-point advantage and go on to the win, dropping Wayne State to 5-11 overall and 3-7 in the NSIC.
Kendall Jacks led the Wildcats with 19 points and nine rebounds while Esters added 14 points. Thomas and Goodwin added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Both Wayne State teams are home next weekend, hosting Northern State on Friday at 6 and 8 p.m., and MSU Moorhead on Saturday at 4 and 6 p.m. at Rice Auditorium.
