Dec. 15, 2005

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Wayne State (2-5) at GLVC/GLIAC Challenge
Dec. 20-21 - 5:30 p.m.
Nicoson Hall - Indianapolis, Ind.

• GAME STORYLINES
The Wayne State University men's basketball team begins its four-game non-conference stretch over the holidays with an appearance at the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge in Indianapolis on Dec. 20-21. The Warriors' first opponent is the host Greyhounds on Tuesday; they will follow up with seventh-ranked Southern Indiana on Wednesday. Both games are set to tip-off at 5:30 p.m. Ferris State is the other GLIAC school competing in the four-team tournament.

WSU's four straight losses is the first such stretch since Jan. 2, 2003. The Warriors are also 1-5 this season when they have more turnovers or committed more personal fouls.

The Warriors will be off for eight days before hosting another GLVC opponent - Bellarmine. WSU will look to avenge an early season loss to the Knights on Dec. 29 in Detroit.

• ON THE BENCH
David Greer is in his fifth year at Wayne State and has a 69-55 record. Todd Sturgeon, now in his ninth year as the head coach for the Greyhounds, has compiled a 135-96 record. Rick Herdes is 111-28 in his fifth season at USI, his alma mater.

• SCOUTING THE FIELD
The `Hounds are 1-4 through their first five games. Their conference contest against Bellarmine on Dec. 8 was postponed, and they are set to face GLIAC North opponent Grand Valley on Dec. 17.

Jesse McClung (14.4 ppg) and Luke Blank (12.6 ppg) are the leading scorers for Indy who is shooting 40.4 percent on three-pointers.

Southern Indiana has moved up in the national polls to #7 with a 9-1 overall record. The Eagles are out-rebounding their competition by +9.9 per game.

Chris Thompson is averaging nearly a double-double at 18.6 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Melvin Hall, who has started just two games, is scoring 16.2 ppg on 31-of-64 threes, and was the GLVC Player of the Week on Dec. 12.

• IN THE POLLS
Wayne State was tied with Gannon for second place in the South Division of the GLIAC coaches' preseason poll.

Southern Indiana was the favorite in the GLVC West Division with 34 points, while Indianapolis was picked sixth in the East Division with 15 points.

• THE SERIES
Last year's meeting between Wayne State and Indianapolis was the first as WSU won 74-68 in overtime. Southern Indiana has won all four contests against the Warriors, the first three coming in the NCAA Tournament.

• LAST GAME NOTES
Wayne State out-shot (40.4 percent-33.8 percent) and out-rebounded (48-35) Hillsdale, but dropped its fourth game in a row with a 62-59 loss at the Jesse Philips Arena on Dec. 10.

Down 5-2 in the opening minutes of the game, WSU's Kris Krzyminski got the offensive board and dished off to center Jeffrey Ferguson for a two-handed dunk. But the Hillsdale lead grew to 9-4 before senior Herb Goliday, Ferguson and Will Pierce scored on consecutive possessions for a 10-9 Warrior lead.

Hillsdale missed four straight shots until taking a one-point lead. Then sophomore Lorenzo Shine scored his first points at WSU with a three-pointer off the glass that put the Warriors up 13-11 at the 10:56 mark.

WSU led by six thanks to a Krzyminski three, but the junior guard headed to the bench as he suffered a bloody lip after diving for a loose ball. He would return just minutes later with the Warriors up 21-16.

Hillsdale went on an 8-2 run and took a 24-23 lead with under a minute to play, but Shine's bucket under the hoop gave WSU a one-point halftime lead.

The Chargers' center John Farr hit a pair of threes early in the second half to put them up 39-37. Wayne State sophomore Rob Igbawua answered with an open mid-range jumper to tie the contest with 13:03 to play.

Krzyminski had a pair of defensive rebounds and hit back-to-back three-pointers that gave WSU a 47-43 advantage, forcing HC to call timeout with 9:36 on the clock. After a 5-2 Hillsdale run, Warrior senior Ethan Banks scored on a nice jump-stop shot high off the glass and Goliday got the roll for a 53-48 lead.

Following one Charger point, Krzyminski was fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three free throws to build a seven-point lead. But an 11-0 Hillsdale sprint put the Chargers ahead, 60-56, with 2:42 left.

Neither team scored until Krzyminski found Banks open for a three with 44.8 seconds remaining. On their final possession, the Chargers missed a three, but Farr grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He made both to put HC up 62-59 with 8.3 seconds to go. Out of a timeout, WSU's last play, a Krzyminski three-point attempt, hit the back of the rim as HC remained undefeated in the league.

Krzyminski scored a career-best for the second straight game with a game-high 18 points. Ferguson added his second double-double in a row with 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead all players.