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 Chastidy Miller had a team-high 16 points in the loss to Ferris. |
Feb. 15, 2007
DETROIT - The Wayne State University women's basketball team (10-15 overall, 8-7 GLIAC) was still able to clinch a GLIAC tournament berth for the sixth time in head coach Gloria Bradley's seven seasons despite falling at home to Ferris State (17-7 overall, 11-5 GLIAC) Thursday evening at the Matthaei.
With Ashland's loss at home to Gannon, WSU secured third place in the GLIAC South Division and will play at Hillsdale on Feb. 24 to close out the regular season and then return to play the Chargers on Tuesday, Feb. 27 in a GLIAC quarterfinal contest.
The Warriors never trailed until 13:57 mark when the Bulldogs took a 20-19 lead. WSU had a 9-3 lead in the first two minutes as junior Nicole Rogers (Lansing, Mich./Everett) had five points with sophomore Joy Nash (Muskegon, Mich.) and senior Cherita Smith (Grand Rapids, Mich./Union) each contributing a bucket.
After FSU grabbed its first lead, the Warriors answered with a bucket by sophomore Monique George (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech). Down by two at 23-21, Wayne State had a 9-0 run which included a lay-up by Rogers, two free throws by Nash, a jumper by George and a triple by freshman Brooke Bowers (Delphos, Ohio/Jefferson).
WSU was able to generate a nine-point advantage at 34-25 but FSU responded with a 13-3 run over a four minute span to take a 38-37 lead.
Nash made a lay-up to regain the lead, but Ferris was only able to outscore WSU 14-10 over the final 4:17 thanks to a late triple by Bowers which pulled the Warriors to within three at the break at 52-49.
Wayne State shot 43.9 percent on 18 of 41 in the first half, but Ferris State shot 52.5 percent on 21 of 40. Both teams made six triples in the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half, WSU was able to get within two points just once at 58-56 following a three-pointer by Rogers with 17:50 remaining. FSU followed with a 10-3 run and kept a lead over the Warriors from six to 12 points until late in the contest.
Wayne State went on a 9-2 run over a three-minute span to pull within five at 88-83. FSU's Kristin Reinhart made two foul shots and after a turnover and a missed jumper on back-to-back WSU possessions, FSU's Erin Miller split a pair from the foul line. Rogers made two free throws for WSU with 36 seconds left but the six point margin was too much as Wayne State missed its final three field goal attempts plus had two turnovers in the final 93 seconds.
A balance scoring attack for Wayne State saw six players in double figures led by sophomore Chastidy Miller (White Lake, Mich./Waterford Kettering) with 16. Bowers and Nash each had 15 with Nash adding nine assists. FSU's Rachel Folcik had 31 points and a game-high 11 boards.
Notes:
The 85 points scored by Wayne State is tied for the second highest mark this season.
The 30 field goals made by WSU is the second best total this year.
The Warriors' 76 field goal attempts is a season-high.
Wayne State's 12 three-pointers made and 27 three-pointers attempted are both team season-high marks.
The 12 three-pointers made is the most by a WSU squad since making 13 (of 28) on Jan. 29, 2004, vs. Ashland in a 75-64 Warrior triumph.
WSU's 81.3 percent from the foul line was the second best game this year.
Wayne State's nine turnovers were a season-low.
The 93 points allowed were the second most by an opponent this season.
FSU's 39 field goals made and 76 attempts were both season-highs for a WSU opponent.
Brooke Bowers 10 three-point field goal attempts equal a WSU individual season-high for this year.
Joy Nash had nine assists, one shy of her highest mark this season.
