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 Wynn Sarden scored a game-high 27 points in his final college game. |
Feb. 23, 2008
DETROIT - The Wayne State University men's basketball team (10-16 overall, 4-13 GLIAC) ended the longest losing streak in 32 years with an 80-73 triumph over visiting Hillsdale College (14-13 overall, 7-10 GLIAC) Saturday afternoon at the Matthaei.
The Warriors snapped their 11-game losing streak by rallying from a 13-point second half deficit to defeat the Chargers in the final game of the campaign for WSU.
The game was tied five times in the first 11:30 with WSU's largest lead being two and Hillsdale's four points. Sophomore Lendyn Davis (Lansing, Mich./Sexton) knotted the game at 17 with his triple off an assist from classmate Larry Edwards (Benton Harbor, Mich.).
Senior Wynn Sarden (Sterling Hts., Mich./Warren Cousino) had a steal and a fast break lay-up giving WSU the lead at 19-17.
After a jumper by freshman Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) gave the Warriors a 25-24 lead with 4:58 remaining, the Chargers scored eight of the next 11 points for a five point lead at 32-27 following a triple by Joe Caruso.
Wayne State got back-to-back jumpers by Sarden and junior Lorenzo McClelland (Oak Park, Mich.) to pull within one but Hillsdale made five of eight foul shots to close out the first half with 37-33 lead for the guests.
The Chargers outscored the Warriors 11-2 to start the second half and their largest lead of the contest (13 at 48-35) following a jumper by Tony Gugino.
WSU responded with a 7-0 keyed by four points from Sarden and three by Smothers.
HC had a 9-4 run for an 11-point lead at 57-46 with 12:53 remaining.
The Warriors answered with a 13-2 run over the next four minutes as Davis hit two triples and redshirt freshman Tim Giles (Southfield, Mich./Southfield-Lathrup) made three foul shots to tie the game at 59 after being fouled by Travis Worst on a triple try.
Caruso and Chris Skaggs made back-to-back baskets giving the visitors a four point lead at 63-59. Smothers had a conventional three-point play and Davis made another triple putting the Warriors ahead 65-63.
The lead continued to bounce back forth. There were 12 lead changes in the game.
Hillsdale's final lead came with 1:46 remaining on a jumper by Tim Homan making it 71-70.
Davis regained the lead for WSU with a jumper but then neither team could score for nearly a minute. Sarden made the second of two foul shots with 45 seconds left then Edwards came up with a steal and made two foul shots with 33 seconds left.
Homan missed a three-point attempt and Davis grabbed the rebound and sealed the win with two free throws giving WSU a 77-71 advantage with 21 seconds left.
Hillsdale missed three consecutive field goal attempts plus had two turnovers in the final 90 seconds until Keith MacKenzie made an uncontested lay-up with five seconds left to complete the scoring.
Notes:
Sarden scored a game-high 27 points in his final collegiate contest.
Davis recorded a career-high 23 points including a career-best seven free throws made. His four triples were one shy of his career high.
Edwards had a career-high seven assists to only one turnover plus tied a career-best with three steals.
Gugino led Hillsdale with 26 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Jason Saddler also concluded his collegiate career for WSU.