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 Kristen Rogers' four free throws sealed the win |
Jan. 21, 2006
MARQUETTE, Mich. - Wayne State senior Kristen Rogers (Lansing, Mich.) made all four of her free throw attempts in the final 20.7 seconds to seal the Warriors' 67-63 win over Northern Michigan (5-10, 1-7 GLIAC) Saturday at the Berry Events Center. WSU (7-9, 4-4 GLIAC) was led by junior Cherita Smith (Grand Rapids, Mich.) who scored a career-high 22 points for the second straight game.
Trailing 9-2 in the first three minutes, Wayne State went on a 12-3 run spurred by a pair of Smith three-pointers. Leading by two, WSU outscored the Wildcats, 15-2, which included three-pointers by Rogers and sophomore Daijon Jefferson (Riverdale, Ill.) to pull ahead 29-14 with 9:10 left. The Warriors were also aided by three steals and nine NMU turnovers during the five-minute span.
Northern responded with a 16-4 run to close out the first half, but WSU led 33-30 at the break.
The `Cats scored the initial basket of the second half, but the Warriors' lead grew to six points on another triple by Smith at the 18:04 mark. Four minutes later, Northern tied the game at 38 after six straight points. Wayne State countered with back-to-back three-pointers by Jefferson and Rogers following an inbound steal.
Three steals in a row turned into a pair of easy WSU layups and Smith's fourth three of the day for a 51-41 lead that forced NMU to call a timeout with 11:06 to go. Smith had just six three-pointers all season.
The Wildcats reduced their deficit to just one point on four straight Tera Opperman points with 2:15 remaining, but a Ralphanee Peyton (Detroit, Mich.) basket made it 63-60. After an NMU free throw, Rogers (an 85.0 percent foul shooter) made all four from the line for the win.
Beside's Smith's 22 points, Rogers finished with 12 points, six assists and three steals. The Warrior bench outscored NMU's 25-2 led by Chastidy Miller's (White Lake, Mich.) 11 points.
Wayne State returns home to host Grand Valley State on Thursday, Jan. 26.
