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 Bethany Mesko tied her career-high with 17 points. |
Jan. 14, 2006
DETROIT - The WSU women's basketball team (6-8, 3-3 GLIAC) got 17 points apiece from Bethany Mesko (Traverse City, Mich.) and Chastidy Miller (White Laker, Mich.) as the Warriors overcame a slow start to defeat the University of Findlay (8-9, 2-6 GLIAC), 81-77, in overtime Saturday afternoon at the Matthaei. Wayne State recorded a season-high 24 steals and 29 free throws in their second overtime game of the year.
After missing their first 13 shots in the opening 5:55, the Warriors got on the board with a jumper by senior Casey Banks (Detroit, Mich.). The Oilers' lead grew to 14-2 as WSU was 1-of-20 from the floor in the first nine minutes of the game. But Wayne State scored 12 straight points to tie the game highlighted by Mesko's four-point play after an intentional foul was called on UF.
The Warrior defense, which had 11 steals in the first 12:34, helped on a transition basket by Miller. Banks then had a turnaround jumper and block that led to a Cherita Smith (Grand Rapids, Mich.) go-ahead basket to put WSU up 22-20. Following Findlay's 14th turnover of the half, senior Kristen Rogers (Lansing, Mich.) drove the baseline for an easy layup and four-point lead.
UF went on an 11-2 run during the final 2:45 of the half to hold a 31-26 lead into the locker room.
Rogers tied the game at 33 with a three-pointer, a steal and a layup just three minutes into the second half. Findlay went on top 46-38 before Miller scored on a three-point play with 13:27 left on the clock.
Down by eight with 6:05 left, Mesko drained a trey from the left corner. Moments later, Smith hit a deep three and Rogers drove the baseline to make it a one-point game at 62-61 with 3:59 to play. After a Findlay timeout, the Oilers turned the ball over for the fifth time in just over two minutes of action.
Miller then got a steal under WSU's own basket and put in a layup. Mesko's free throw with 1:47 left tied the game at 66. Miller was fouled with 4.7 seconds left, but she missed both free throws after making 10 of her first 11 at the line.
In overtime, Rogers put the Warriors ahead with two free throws. WSU's lead grew to five points after a Peyton bucket and a three by Rogers with just under three minutes to go. The Oilers tied the game twice in the final two minutes before Peyton scored a three-point play with 45.0 seconds remaining.
Miller forced an Oiler turnover with 5.1 seconds left and Rogers grabbed the loose ball. Rogers went to the line and clinched the win with two free throws.
Rogers led the team with 18 points, five assists and five steals.
WSU travels to the U.P. for a Jan. 19 match-up at Michigan Tech.
