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 Lendyn Davis had a game-high 20 points to lead WSU. |
Dec. 29, 2007
Findlay, Ohio - The Wayne State University men's basketball team improved to 8-3 overall with a 66-59 triumph over Shawnee State on day two of the Findlay (Ohio) Holiday Classic.
The Warriors' only lead in the first 15 minutes of the contest was at 3-2 following a jumper by junior Lorenzo McClelland (Oak Park, Mich.) 90 seconds into the game.
The Bears scored 10 of the next 13 points for a 12-6 lead at the 14:11 mark. SSU increased its lead to nine (18-9) at the 11:53 mark following a jumper by Josh Reed.
WSU scored the next five points on back-to-back jumpers by Jeremy Lathan (Portland, Ore./Benson Tech) and Wynn Sarden (Sterling Hts., Mich./Warren Cousino) and a foul shot by Jason Saddler (Detroit, Mich./Cody) to pull within four at 18-14.
Shawnee State's biggest lead the rest of the first half was eight at 22-14 following a lay-up by Kevin McDonald. SSU had a 25-19 lead after a triple by Sean Elliott, but WSU's Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) answered with a jumper then two foul shots. After Sarden split a pair from the foul line, sophomore Lendyn Davis (Lansing, Mich./Sexton) nailed a three pointer giving WSU a 27-25 lead. SSU tied it on a lay-up by Justin Patrick, but Davis added two foul shots a minute later. Then following a Sarden bucket, Reed was called for a technical foul and Davis sank one of two foul shots giving the Warriors a five point lead at 32-27.
Wayne State's lone points in the final 2:45 of the first half was a pair of Lathan free throws, but the Warriors had a 34-30 lead at intermission.
WSU had a nine point advantage (45-36) at the 16:27 mark following a fast break lay-up by Smothers. The Bears answered by scoring six of the next eight points to cut the Warrior lead to five (47-42).
Wayne State's lead remained between five and nine points for the next nine minutes until a conventional three-point play by Reed pulled the Bears within four at 55-51 with 5:26 left.
The Warriors scored the next five points on a triple by Davis and two free throws by Sarden. Davis triple at the 5:12 mark was WSU's last field goal made as the Warriors had to seal the victory from the foul line. In the final 4:45 WSU made 8-of-10 from the charity stripe to seal the victory.
Davis scored a game-best 20 points to lead three Warriors in double figures, while Sarden had a game-high 14 rebounds.
Wayne State's next game will also be in Findlay, this time against the Oilers in a GLIAC contest on Thursday, Jan. 3 with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
Notes:
Wayne State made a season-high 20 free throws (on 26 attempts) against Shawnee State, including 10 of 12 in the second half.
Lendyn Davis equaled a team season-best and set a personal career-high with five three pointers made. He also scored 20 points, one shy of his career high.
Wynn Sarden made a WSU season-high eight free throws. He had his sixth double-double of the season with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Sarden was named WSU's Most Outstanding Player for the tournament.
