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 Kris Krzyminski had 26 points, five rebounds and two assists versus NMU. |
Jan. 20, 2007
DETROIT - The Wayne State University men's basketball team (8-8 overall, 4-4 GLIAC) fell behind early and could never recover in falling 75-55 to Northern Michigan University (10-9 overall, 4-6 GLIAC) in a GLIAC contest Saturday afternoon at the Matthaei.
The visiting Wildcats scored the first seven points of the game including five by Ricky Volcy and built a 15-2 advantage in the first 6:33 of the contest. After a triple by WSU senior guard Kris Krzyminski (Flint, Mich./Central), NMU scored the next five points for a 20-5 lead with 11:38 left before intermission.
The Warriors were able to cut the deficit to 12 at 24-12 following another triple by Krzyminski. However, Northern outscored Wayne State 15-4 over the final 8:27 of the first half.
NMU shot 61.5 percent (16 of 26) from the floor in the first half compared to 25 percent (7 of 28) for WSU in gaining a 39-16 lead.
In the second half, the visiting Wildcats shot 54.5 percent (12 of 22) while the Warriors connected on 12 of 28 for 42.9 percent. After NMU had a 52-24 lead, Wayne State responded by outscoring Northern 19-6 over the next 6:46 as Krzyminski made two three-pointers, two two-pointers plus two free throws. Junior Jason Saddler (Detroit, Mich./Cody) had five points and three offensive rebounds during the run.
The Wildcats held a 17-12 scoring advantage over the final 8:46.
Volcy, who entered the week in the top 26 nationally in points per game (15th/22.2), rebounds per game (26th/9.9) and blocked shots per game (23rd/2.2), exceeded his average in both points (33) and blocks (3).
Krzyminski, who entered the week, in the top eight nationally in three categories: first in three-point field goal percentage - 55.6 (made 4 of 8 from beyond the arc); fourth in three-point field goals per game - 3.9 (made four); and eighth in scoring - 24.4 (had 26 points).
The Warriors will play four of their next six contests on the road starting Thursday night at Grand Valley in an 8 p.m. tip. Following the Jan. 27 contest at Lake Superior, WSU will have home games versus Findlay (Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.) and Ashland (Feb. 3 at 3 p.m.).
Notes:
WSU was held to season-lows in field goals made (19), field goal percentage (33.9/19 of 56) and three-point field goal percentage (22.2/4 of 18).
Krzyminski was four of eight from beyond the arc, while his teammates were a combined 0 of 10.
Harry Hairston made his first appearance of the season, and Kevin Hicks made his collegiate debut.
Michael Henderson missed his second consecutive game with an injury.
All six of Jason Saddler's rebounds were on the offensive end.
