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 Joy Nash scores 13 to lead Warriors. |
Jan. 2, 2007
Edwardsville, Ill. - The Wayne State women's basketball team (4-9 overall) lost 57-40 to Southern Indiana (9-2 overall), in the final game of the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge at the Vadalabene Center Saturday, on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Wayne State struggled early, as a free throw by Sophomore Joy Nash (Muskegon) was the only point for the Warriors over the first 9 plus minutes of the game. During that same span, the Screaming Eagles took advantage of 6 Wayne turnovers, converting them into 10 points, while building an 18-1 lead.
The Warriors first basket of the game came at the 10:37 mark on a jumper by Freshman Brooke Bowers (Delphos, Ohio/Jefferson). Free throws by Nash, and a 3-pointer by Bowers cut the Eagles lead to 14, but Wayne would go cold from there, scoring only 6 more points on a free throw by Sophomore Monique George (Detroit/Cass Tech), and baskets by Junior Bethany Jury (Plymouth/Livonia Ladywood) and Nash. Wayne State ended the half down 31-13.
Wayne State shot 4 of 21 (19%) from the field in the first half, while Southern Indiana was 12 of 24 (50%). 14 first half turnovers, and 4 of 11 shooting from the free throw line also hurt the Warriors. Wayne State also forced Southern Indiana into 14 turnovers of their own, however they could only convert them into 2 points, while the Eagles turned the Warrior turnovers into 14 points.
Consecutive baskets by Freshman Rebecca Meyer (Brighton) and Nash to open the second half cut the Screaming Eagle lead to 14. After trading baskets though, Southern Indiana took advantage of several Warrior turnovers to build a 24 point lead at 45-21, with 13:04 remaining in the game.
A 3-pointer by Senior Cherita Smith (Grand Rapids/Union) started a 13-4 run by Wayne State over the next 8:30 of the game to bring the Warriors back to within 13 points with 3:31 left in the game. Senior Bethany Mesky (Traverse City/Central), Jury, and Nash also contributed to the run with baskets.
Wayne State would close out the game cold though, as free throws by Sophomore Chastidy Miller (White Lake/Waterford Kettering) at the 2:46 mark would be the last points of the game for the Warriors.
Wayne State closed out the game shooting 16 for 52 (31%), while connecting on only 2 of 11 (18%) from 3-point range, and 6 of 16 (37.5%) from the charity stripe. Southern Indiana finished the game 20-46 (43.5%) from the field. The Warriors did hold the Screaming Eagles to 25% from beyond the arch (3-12), and forced 26 turnovers.
Wayne State was again led by Nash, with 13 points. Smith and Bowers each contributed 5, while Miller contributed 7 rebounds and 3 steals.
The Warriors continue their road trip as they travel to Midland to take on Northland on Saturday, January 6th at 6pm.
