 |
 Senior Casey Banks made all five of her shots. |
Jan. 26, 2006
DETROIT - The Wayne State women's basketball dropped a 73-51 decision to GLIAC North-leading and 15th-ranked Grand Valley State Thursday on "Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night." Even with the loss, the Warriors remain in sole possession of third place in the South Division with a 7-10 overall mark and 4-5 league record.
Grand Valley (16-3, 9-1 GLIAC) jumped out to a 20-2 lead in the opening 9:06 as the Warriors hit just one of their first 16 shots. WSU junior Cherita Smith (Grand Rapids, Mich.) took over and scored 15 points during a 20-10 run that cut the deficit to eight with 2:51 left in the half. GVSU held a 37-24 lead at the break as it shot 46.2 percent compared to the Warriors' 29.4.
The Lakers scored eight of the first 10 points in the second half before Wayne State rattled off six straight points on baskets by Casey Banks (Detroit, Mich.), Daijon Jefferson (Riverdale, Ill.) and Smith.
The Warriors got within 62-48 thanks to six points apiece by Jefferson and Banks with 6:25 to play, but WSU was held to just three points after that point.
Smith scored just two points in the second half to finish with a team-high 17 along with a career-high seven rebounds. Banks was the only other Warrior in double figures as she made all five of her shots to score 10 points.
GVSU went to the foul line 30 times, making 23 of its attempts. WSU was just 8-of-13 at the line. The Lakers also out-rebounded Wayne State, 49-29, but committed seven more turnovers than WSU.
The Warriors host their second straight ranked opponent on Saturday (3 p.m.) when Lake State visits the Matthaei.
