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 Kristen Rogers hit five three-pointers against KWC. |
Dec. 30, 2005
DETROIT - Senior Kristen Rogers (Lansing, Mich.) hit five three-pointers, but Wayne State women's basketball team (3-7) lost its fourth straight game with a 76-72 non-conference home loss to Kentucky Wesleyan (6-5) Friday, Dec. 30 at the Matthaei.
Junior Cherita Smith (Grand Rapids, Mich.) scored underneath the basket on a nice pass from Shatona Clark (Detroit, Mich.) for a 4-2 lead. After two Clark foul shots, an offensive rebound by freshman Chastidy Miller (White Lake, Mich.) led to a bucket by Ralphanee Peyton (Detroit, Mich.) for an 8-2 advantage.
KWC came back to grab a 17-13 lead after a pair of three-pointers and a three-point play with 11:34 left in the first half. WSU then ended its five-minute scoreless streak with a Clark field goal from freshman point guard Joy Nash (Muskegon, Mich.).
Rogers lined up for a three-pointer that put the Warriors back up, 20-19, with 8:04 on the clock. After the Panthers tied the game, Clark caught an over-the-shoulder pass under the basket from Rogers. WSU went on a nine-point run on a Rogers trey, a turnaround jumper by Peyton, Smith's second steal and fast-break layup and a Clark basket to go up 33-24 with 3:34 to play. But Kentucky Wesleyan answered with 10 straight points the rest of the way to hold a 34-33 halftime lead.
KWC scored five in a row out of the locker room before Smith knocked down a jumper with 18:02 left. The Panthers continued to increase their lead to 46-38 until Peyton connected on a three-point play and a second-chance bucket to bring Wayne State within three.
With 9:34 left, Miller drained a three that put WSU ahead, 52-51. Great defensive pressure by Rogers led to her fourth three-pointer of the night and a four-point Wayne State lead. KWC rallied for 10 straight points over the next 2:08 and a 17-2 overall run for a 68-57 lead.
Another Rogers three made it 70-64 with 1:24 remaining. After exchanging baskets, the Warriors cut it down to a four-point deficit as Rogers created a steal that led to a bucket by Smith. But that would be as close as WSU would get the rest of the way as KWC made four free throws during the final minute.
Rogers and Clark finished with a team-high 17 points with Peyton and Smith added 14 apiece.
The Warriors begin 2006 with another non-league home game on Jan. 3 against Marygrove.
