Feb. 15, 2006

Wayne State (8-14, 5-9 GLIAC) at
Ferris State (16-8, 10-5 GLIAC)
Saginaw Valley (8-15, 5-9 GLIAC)
Feb. 16 - 6 pm Feb. 18 - 1 pm

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GAME STORYLINES
Only two GLIAC Tournament spots remain open with the Wayne State women's basketball team battling with three other South Division teams, as well as its Feb. 18 opponent Saginaw Valley State. Ferris State, where the Warriors travel to on Thursday, is one of four North teams that have already clinched a berth in the playoffs.

Senior Kristen Rogers needs just 23 points to become the 13th player in WSU history to reach the 1,000-point mark. Making 83.3 percent of her foul shots, Rogers is currently ahead of Julie Filpus' (1990-94) career free throw percentage record of 81.9.

After a non-conference game at IPFW in Fort Wayne next Tuesday, Wayne State returns to Detroit on Feb. 25 for Senior Day vs. Hillsdale.

ON THE BENCH
Wayne State head coach Gloria Bradley has a 74-83 mark in her sixth season at WSU. Bradley is 188-152 in 12 seasons overall. Tracy Fisk is 133-86 in her eighth season in Big Rapids, while SVSU's second-year head coach Yvonne Killmer has a 15-34 mark in University Center.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
FSU, who has won four of its last five contests, is the second-high scoring team in the conference at 75.4 points per game. The Bulldogs also lead the league with a 75.6 foul shooting percentage. Junior Erin Miller averages a team-high 15.3 ppg, good enough for sixth in the GLIAC. Junior Audrey Thwing (6.9) and sophomore Rachel Folcik (6.2) are both among the top 10 rebounders in the league.

SVSU on the other hand, is the poorest free throw shooting team at 60.4 percent, but lead the conference at 4.43 blocks per game. Sophomore Jenna Schroeder ranks second in assists (5.13) and seventh in scoring (14.5). On the rebounding front, sophomore Kali Briggs averages a league-leading 9.0 boards a game, while junior Bernettra Grayer grabs 7.3 rpg and posts a GLIAC-high 2.17 bpg.

IN THE POLLS
Wayne State was selected to place sixth in the South Division of the GLIAC coaches' preseason poll. The Bulldogs picked up three first-place votes and had 32 total points in second place of the North poll. SVSU was selected sixth with 11 points.

THE SERIES
Ferris State holds a 27-24 lead in the all-time series with the Warriors. WSU also trails the Cardinals, 30-21.

LAST GAME NOTES
WSU didn't score for the final 2:25 and lost to Gannon University by the score of 82-69 in GLIAC women's basketball action on Feb. 11 at the Matthaei. GU earned the season split with Wayne State and took over sole possession of third place in the South Division.

The Lady Knights jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first three minutes, but then Warrior freshman Chastidy Miller scored to start a six-point run. Then back-to-back steals and layups by Cherita Smith and Kristen Rogers got the Warriors within three points. WSU made it a one-point game as Brittany White made another steal that led to a Smith jumper with 11:31 before the half.

GU responded to go up by 12 with 6:10 to play before Smith knocked down a three right in front of the Gannon bench. Smith's second triple of the game came at the 4:22 mark to give her 14 first half points, but the Lady Knights held a 43-36 halftime lead.

The Warriors came within five points as White drove the lane and dished off to Rogers who drained a three early in the second half.

Following two GU turnovers, Bethany Mesko sank a three to make it 44-42 with 17:19 left.

The Lady Knights missed on their end and WSU senior Casey Banks hit a turnaround jumper that tied the game. Gannon scored just one point in the first 4:40 of the second half until back-to-back three-pointers put GU back on top.

Gannon went on a 10-0 run overall that was ended on a White steal and fast-break layup by Miller with 12:32 to play.

Wayne State climbed back within four, but GU went on a six-point run. That was countered with four points apiece by Ralphanee Peyton and Smith that put the score at 64-62 with 6:31 left.

After five GU points, White and Peyton scored within two seconds of each other. Gannon hit a three, which Rogers came back with one for the Warriors with 2:25 remaining. That would be WSU's final points of the game as GU finished the game on an eight-point run.

Smith led Wayne State with 18 points, while Rogers scored 14. The two accounted for half of WSU's 16 steals.

Gannon, who shot 50.9 percent from the floor, made 22-of-27 free throws. The Warriors connected on just 5-of-13 at the line.