Nov. 30, 2005

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• GAME STORYLINES
The run for a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title begins this week as the Wayne State University men's basketball open its league schedule on the road in Erie, Pa. The Warriors play at South Division rival Gannon on Thursday night before facing off against Mercyhurst College on Saturday afternoon.

During WSU's last trip to Erie in February, the Warriors came away with two wins by a combined six points, defeating GU, 57-53, and Mercyhurst, 58-56. One week after the win at Hammermill Center, the Warriors hosted Gannon in a GLIAC Quarterfinal and won 75-70.

Wayne State returns to Detroit on Dec. 7 for a non-conference game against West Virginia State. WSU defeated the Yellow Jackets in the season opener, 85-79, snapping their 26-game home winning streak.

• ON THE BENCH
David Greer is in his fifth year at Wayne State and has a 69-51 overall record. Gannon's John Reilly is in his first season as the head coach. He compiled a 232-145 record in 12 seasons at Brescia. MC's Gary Manchel is 29-31 and is in his third year with the Lakers.

• SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Gannon enters league play with a 2-4 non-conference record. Last weekend, the Golden Knights lost to Northwood in the Gary Miller Classic, but defeated Ohio Valley in the consolation game, 84-70.

The Lakers also beat OVC over the weekend to remain undefeated at 5-0. Avi Fogel (15.6 points per game) and Terry Smith (15.0 ppg) lead the way for MC.

• IN THE POLLS
Wayne State was tied with Gannon for second place in the South Division in the GLIAC coaches' preseason poll. Both teams earned one first-place and 18 total points behind Findlay's 24 points. MC was picked sixth with six points.

• THE SERIES
Gannon leads the all-time series, 13-11, but WSU has won 13 of 20 meetings against the Lakers.

• LAST GAME NOTES
For the second straight season, Wayne State scored over 100 points against Marygrove as all five starters scored in double figures in the Warriors' 113-45 win over the Mustangs in a match-up of Detroit schools Tuesday night at the Matthaei. The point total was the highest since scoring 115 against Gannon in the last game of the 1995-96 season, and is tied for third highest all-time.

Making his first start in the Green & Gold, junior Curt Gilmore open the scoring with a layup. Gilmore then faked out the defender for good jumper. After a Marygrove miss that bounced out to half-court, Kris Krzyminski made an over-the-shoulder outlet pass to the 6-foot-1 Gilmore who threw down the two-handed dunk for a 10-4 lead.

Six points by senior Herb Goliday and a reverse layup by Krzyminski put WSU up 18-6. Then junior center Jeffrey Ferguson scored five straight, including a three-pointer from the top of the circle, for a 25-6 Warrior lead.

Gilmore dove into the third row of stands to save the ball on the defensive end, then found Ferguson for his second three of the half and a 30-8 lead. Krzyminski passed off to Ferguson in transition for another trey then Krzyminski followed with a three of his on a bounce-pass assist from Gilmore.

The Warriors went up 41-14 at the 5:16 mark as Gilmore intercepted a pass and converted on a three-point play. After a Mustang basket, Krzyminski hit his second three of the half. The Warriors got their sixth three-point of the half as Goliday connected from downtown to give WSU a 56-23 lead as the first half time expired.

The second half started with Krzyminski scoring on consecutive layups within 30 seconds then found an open Ethan Banks in the corner for a three and a 67-23 lead. Banks hit two more identical three-pointers from the same spot in the next four minutes to grab an 82-30 lead.

Wayne State continued to roll with reserves in the game for the remainder of the game. With 2:48 left, the Warriors reached the century-mark on Jacob Black's reverse layup from an assist by freshman Drew Bynoe. Redshirt freshman Harry Hairston, making his collegiate debut, scored five points in the final minute, including a three-pointer from the right corner.

Every player on WSU's active roster scored except Bynoe who passed out four assists and had two steals. Ferguson's career-high 27 points led all players as Gilmore had 15 points, seven assists and four steals.

Wayne State made 50 percent (10-of-20) of its three-pointers and shot 57.1 percent from the floor (40-of-70) overall. The Warriors also held a 23-1 advantage in assists.