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2006-07
WSC Mens BB Press Releases
WEST HOLT'S
ZANE ABNER SIGNS WITH WAYNE STATE COLLEGE
April 18-----Wayne State College
head men’s basketball coach Rico Burkett has announced
that Zane Abner of West Holt High School in Atkinson has signed
a national letter of intent to play men’s basketball
for the Wildcats in the 2007-08 season. He joins Marcus Messersmith
of Winside High School, Elijah Miller of Galva-Holsten (Iowa)
High School and Nate Trueblood of Dixon (Illinois) High School
as members of the 2007 WSC recruiting class.
Abner, a 6-5, 190 pound guard/forward, earned Class C-2 First
Team All-State honors this past season, averaging 18.8 points
and 9.1 rebounds per game while leading West Holt to a 14-9
record and a district runner-up finish as the Huskies fell
to eventual state champion Ponca. Abner is a three-time All-Rangeland
Conference selection and was named to the Norfolk Daily News
Elite Team this past season. He also excels in the classroom,
maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
“Zane is a big-time competitor and we feel his passion
for the game will allow him to have an immediate impact right
away,” commented WSC head coach Rico Burkett. “We
wanted to get longer and more athletic on the perimeter and
we are extremely excited to sign a player of Zane’s
caliber to our program. He is an exceptional athlete and his
versatility will be a huge asset to our program. Zane has
the ability to create match-up problems at multiple positions.
Burkett added, “We are really pleased to add Zane Abner,
Marcus Messersmith, Elijah Miller and Nate Trueblood to our
current roster as we take that next step as a program. Assistant
Coaches Matt Murken and Pat Monaghan put in a lot of time
and effort into recruiting these four talented student athletes
and I believe those efforts will pay huge dividends for the
future of Wildcat basketball.”
Wayne State College is an NCAA Division II school located
in Wayne, Nebraska and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Conference. The Wildcats finished the season 15-13 overall
and 10-8 in the NSIC, marking the first time since the 1999-2000
season that Wayne State finished above the .500 mark. The
Wildcats lose just one senior to graduation.
WILDCATS PLACE THREE ON NSIC
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM; DIGGS NAMED NSIC CO-NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
March 1------Wayne State College
landed three players on the 2006-07 Northern Sun Conference
All-Conference Men’s Basketball Team announced Thursday
afternoon by the league office in St. Paul, Minnesota. Junior
guard Bryce Caldwell was named to the Second Team, junior
center Matt Rathje collected Third Team honors while freshman
guard Jamar Diggs was named the NSIC Co-Newcomer of the Year,
sharing the award with Minnesota,Crookston freshman guard
Bryce Cummings.
Caldwell, a 5-11 junior from Davenport, Iowa (North HS), was
Wayne State’s top scorer this season at 14.3 points
per game. His 99 three pointers ranked as the second-most
in a single season by a Wildcat player and was the most in
NSIC play. Caldwell ranked seventh in the NSIC in scoring
(14.3), eighth in steals (1.43) and ninth in three point field
goal percentage (.423). He led the NSIC in three point field
goals made per game at 3.54 a contest.
Rathje, a 6-8 junior from Watkins, Iowa (Benton Community
HS), posted career-highs of 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds a
game this season for the Wildcats. His six double-doubles
ranked second in the NSIC. Rathje topped the NSIC in field
goal percentage (.662) and offensive rebounds (2.93) while
ranking second in rebounding (7.4) and fourth in defensive
rebounds (4.50).
Diggs, a 6-2 freshman from Minneapolis, Minnesota (DeLasalle
HS), was the third leading scorer for Wayne State this season
averaging 10.0 points and 2.9 rebounds a game. Diggs had 10
or more points in 10 of the 18 NSIC games this season, including
three games of 20 or more. He finished 11th in the NSIC in
free throw percentage, making 77 percent from the charity
stripe.
Wayne State finished the season 15-13 overall and 10-8 in
the NSIC, marking the first time since the 1999-2000 season
that the Wildcats finished above the .500 mark. The Wildcats
lose just one senior to graduation.
WAYNE STATE ENDS
SEASON WITH 77-61 LOSS AT CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL IN FIRST ROUND
OF NSIC RED BARON MEN'S BASKETBALL CLASSIC
February 28-----Concordia-St.
Paul used a 17-1 run midway through the second half to pull
away for a 77-61 win over Wayne State College in the first
round of the NSIC Red Baron Men’s Basketball Classic
in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Golden Bears advance to the semi-finals
in Winona, Minnesota this weekend with a 21-7 record while
Wayne State ends the season at 15-13 overall.
Wayne State’s only lead of the game was at 9-8 with
14:36 remaining in the first half following a jumper by David
Walters. Concordia-St. Paul built a 13 point lead at 33-20
with 2:17 to go in the first half after a three pointer by
Kyle Marxhausen. WSC closed the half on a 9-2 run and cut
the lead to 35-29 at the intermission. The Wildcats inched
closer early in the second half and tied the score at 46-46
on a jumper by freshman Jamar Diggs with 11:24 left in the
game. However, the host Golden Bears went on a 17-1 run over
the next 5:06 to take control of the game, leading 63-47 with
6:18 to go. CSP eventually built a 20 point lead, 76-56, and
went on to win 77-61.
Kyle Marxhausen ripped the nets for 27 points to lead Concordia-St.
Paul in scoring. The senior forward was 10 of 19 from the
field and 5 of 7 from the three point line. He was the only
player in double figures for the Golden Bears, who shot 31
of 66 from the field for 47 percent. CSP was 9 of 19 from
the three point line and 6 of 9 from the charity stripe.
Matt Rathje’s 18 points and eight rebounds led Wayne
State. Tim Taylor, the lone senior on the WSC roster, finished
with 11 points. WSC shot 40 percent from the field on 23 of
57. The ‘Cats were 5 of 16 from the three point line
and 10 of 11 at the free throw line.
Concordia-St. Paul out-rebounded Wayne State 38-32 thanks
to eight boards from Marlon Walker. Rathje grabbed eight boards
for WSC followed by Jonathon Thomas with six.
Wayne State ends the season at 15-13, its first winning record
since the 1999-2000 season. The Wildcats lose just one senior,
Tim Taylor, to graduation.
WILDCATS
FACE CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL IN FIRST ROUND NSIC GAME WEDNESDAY
NIGHT
February 26-----The Wayne State
men will travel to Concordia-St. Paul in the first round of
the NSIC Men’s Red Baron Basketball Classic on Wednesday
evening, February 28 with tip off slated for 8:00 p.m. The
Wildcats finished in fifth place in the NSIC with a 10-8 league
mark and are 15-12 overall. CSP brings a 20-7 overall mark
into Wednesday’s game after finishing fourth in the
NSIC at 13-5 in league play. The Golden Bears won both meetings
this season between the two clubs, 77-66 in St. Paul on January
20 and 80-72 in Wayne last Friday evening (February 23).
The semi-finals and finals of the NSIC Men’s Basketball
Classic will be played on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and
4. Should top-seeded Winona State win their first round game,
the Warriors would host Saturday’s semi-finals at 2
and 4 p.m. and Sunday’s championship game at 2 p.m.
The following is a complete listing of the NSIC Men’s
Red Baron Basketball Classic pairings:
NSIC Men’s Red Baron Basketball Classic First
Round Pairings----Wednesday, February 28
#5 seed Wayne State (8-16, 6-8) at #4 seed (Concordia-St.
Paul) 8:00 p.m.
#8 seed Upper Iowa (3-24, 2-16) at #1 seed Winona State (27-0,
18-0) 7:00 p.m.
#7 seed Bemidji State (5-22, 5-13) at #2 seed SW Minnesota
State (18-9, 14-4) 7:00 p.m.
#6 seed MSU Moorhead (13-14, 8-10) at #3 seed Northern State
(20-7, 13-5) 8:00 p.m.
Highest remaining seed will host semi-finals and finals on
Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4.
WAYNE STATE'S
MATT RATHJE SWEEPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
February 26-----Matt Rathje
of Wayne State College was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Conference and Nebraska NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball
Player of the Week Monday afternoon following his performances
in a pair of NSIC games for the Wildcats over the weekend.
It’s the first time this season that Rathje has collected
player of the week honors.
Rathje, a 6-8 junior center from Watkins, Iowa (Benton Community
HS) averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds per game as the Wildcats
split home games against Concordia-St. Paul and MSU Moorhead.
Rathje matched his career-high of 25 points and grabbed a
career-high 17 rebounds in a 80-72 loss to Concordia-St. Paul
Friday evening and added 17 points in a 65-62 win over MSU
Moorhead Saturday evening. For the weekend, Rathje made 18
of 26 shots from the field (.692). He leads the NSIC in field
goal percentage, making 130 of 197 shots for 66 percent, and
is second in rebounding at 7.4 rebounds a game.
Wayne State, 15-12 overall and 10-8 in the NSIC, is the fifth
seed for this week’s NSIC Red Baron Men’s Basketball
Classic. The Wildcats visit fourth-seeded Concordia-St. Paul
on Wednesday evening at 8:00 p.m. in a first round game.
WILDCATS CLOSE OUT REGULAR
SEASON WITH 65-62 WIN OVER MSU MOORHEAD
February 24-----Wayne State
College clinched fifth place in the Northern Sun Conference
Saturday evening with a 65-62 win over MSU Moorhead on Senior
Night at Rice Auditorium. The Wildcats are 15-12 overall and
10-8 in the NSIC while MSU Moorhead is 13-14 overall and 8-10
in the NSIC.
The first half saw the two teams MSU Moorhead and Wayne State
exchange several leads and 10 ties before the Dragons scored
the final seven points of the half to take a 42-35 advantage.
Both teams shot exceptional in the first half with MSU Moorhead
going 19 of 29 from the field (65 percent) and Wayne State
hitting 57 percent on 15 of 26.
MSU Moorhead held an eight point lead early in the second
half, 45-37 with 18:05 to go, before the Wildcats rallied
to pull ahead at 52-50 following a Bryce Caldwell three pointer
with 10:57 remaining. MSU Moorhead was able to tie the score
two more times with the last tie at 56-56 with 7:42 remaining
after a layup by Lee Isaacson. WSC built a four point lead
at 63-59 with 2:51 remaining after a Matt Rathje free throw.
MSU Moorhead pulled within one point at 63-62 with 2:16 to
go after Grant Fossum made one of two free throws. Jonathon
Thomas and David Walters each made one of two free throws
to give WSC a 65-62 lead with 34 seconds to go. The Dragons
had three shots to tie the game, but a missed three pointer
by Jamal O’Neal with 15 seconds left, a missed three
pointer by Craig Williams with five seconds remaining and
a missed putback by O’Neal allowed Wayne State to escape
with a 65-62 win over the Dragons.
Bryce Caldwell and Matt Rathje scored 17 points each to lead
Wayne State with David Walters adding 12. The Wildcats shot
50 percent from the field, making 26 of 52 shots. WSC was
7 of 16 from the three point line and just 6 of 15 at the
free throw stripe for 40 percent.
Lee Isaacson topped MSU Moorhead in scoring with 16 points
followed by Jamal O’Neal with 14 and Craig Williams
had 12. The Dragons, after shooting 65 percent in the first
half, hit just 24 percent in the second half (6 of 25) and
finished the game 25 of 54 for 46 percent. MSUM was 5 of 16
from the three point line and 7 of 12 at the charity stripe.
MSU Moorhead won the rebounding battle 33-29 over Wayne State.
Jamal O’Neal grabbed eight boards for MSU Moorhead while
Wayne State was paced by Jonathon Thomas and David Walters
with six boards apiece.
Wayne State will play a road game at either Concordia-St.
Paul or Northern State Wednesday evening in the first round
of the NSIC Red Baron Men’s Basketball Classic.
CONCORDIA-ST.
PAUL DEFEATS WAYNE STATE 80-72
February 23-----Concordia University-St.
Paul used balanced scoring to defeat Wayne State 80-72 in
a Northern Sun Conference men’s basketball game played
at Rice Auditorium in Wayne Friday evening. The visiting Golden
Bears moved to 20-6 overall and 13-4 in league play with the
win while WSC remained in fifth place in the NSIC at 9-8 in
the league and 14-12 overall.
Wayne State held the lead for most of the first half until
the visiting Golden Bears took the lead at halftime 33-31.
The Wildcats built an early nine point lead, 18-9 with 12:36
left in the first half, following a three pointer from Bryce
Caldwell. However, the Golden Bears took the lead just before
halftime at 33-31 after a dunk by Marlon Walker with 38 seconds
remaining in the first half.
Concordia-St. Paul never let WSC get closer than three points
in the second half and built a 14 point lead, 63-49 with 6:05
remaining, and then used free throw shooting down the stretch
(11 of 12 in the final 2:30) to preserve the 80-72 win over
Wayne State.
Kyle Marxhausen’s 19 points topped four players in double
figures for Concordia-St. Paul. Craig Heiman had 18 points,
followed by Joey Peel with 12 and Jason Birr with 11. CSP
shot 49 percent for the game (28 of 57) and his 18 of 29 at
the free throw line.
Wayne State junior center Matt Rathje had a career-night for
the Wildcats. He tied his career-high with 25 points and hauled
in a career-best 17 rebounds for his sixth double-double of
the season. Freshman guard Jamar Diggs also had a career-high
night, scoring 21 points. Jonathon Thomas chipped in with
13 points and 12 rebounds. WSC shot 40 percent from the field,
but just 2 of 14 from the three point line. The ‘Cats
were 18 of 29 at the free throw line.
WSC held a sizeable 47-34 edge in rebounding over the Golden
Bears thanks to 17 caroms by Rathje and 12 from Thomas. Chuol
Chany and Kyle Marxhausen had six boards each for CSP.
Wayne State will conclude the regular season at home on Saturday
evening against MSU Moorhead in a 8:00 p.m. contest at Rice
Auditorium.
DALLAS HODGES DISMISSED
FROM WAYNE STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM
February 21-----Dallas Hodges
has been dismissed from the Wayne State College men’s
basketball team, effective immediately, for violation of team
rules in regards to an incident in Wayne on Sunday, February
18.
Hodges, a 6-3 senior guard from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was the
leading scorer for the 14-11 Wildcats, averaging 16.8 points
per game. He ranked fourth in the Northern Sun Conference
in scoring and was second in assists (3.88 apg) and free throw
percentage (.872).
Wayne State will close out the regular season at home this
weekend with games against Concordia University-St. Paul Friday
evening and MSU-Moorhead on Saturday evening.
CALDWELL'S BIG
SECOND HALF LIFTS WSC OVER SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE
February 17-----Junior guard
Bryce Caldwell scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half,
including seven in the final minute, to lead Wayne State in
a 74-70 Northern Sun Conference men’s basketball win
over Southwest Minnesota State Saturday night at Rice Auditorium
in Wayne. WSC is now 14-11 on the season and 9-7 in the NSIC
while the Mustangs fall to 16-9 and 12-4 in the NSIC.
It was a typical game between Wayne State and Southwest Minnesota
State going down to the wire. SMSU held the lead for much
of the first half, but WSC recorded the seventh tie of the
first half to enter the locker room knotted at 36-36. The
two teams exchanged several leads in the second half until
the Wildcats got some key plays from Caldwell down the stretch
to hold off the Mustangs. SMSU’s Ryan Krome made a layup
with 1:25 to go, putting the Mustangs in front 67-65. Caldwell
drained a three pointer with :53 seconds left to put WSC back
in front 68-67. A steal and layup by Caldwell with 39 seconds
remaining put WSC ahead 70-67. Krome converted one of two
free throws with :27 seconds to go to make the score 70-68.
Dallas Hodges was fouled on the rebound and made two free
throws with :23 to go, giving WSC a 72-68 lead. Krome’s
two free throws with :14 seconds remaining pulled the Mustangs
within two, 72-70. After a WSC turnover with 12 seconds, SMSU
had a chance to tie the score. But Andrew Peschong missed
an eight foot jumper with five seconds to go and Bryce Caldwell
grabbed the rebound, getting fouled with one second remaining.
He made both free throws to seal the Wildcats’ 74-70
win over the Mustangs.
Caldwell’s 22 points led the Wildcats in scoring, followed
by Dallas Hodges with 21. Matt Rathje accounted for 15 points
and Jonathon Thomas had 10 to round out the double figure
scorers for Wayne State. The Wildcats shot 48 percent from
the field on 25 of 52, including 9 of 22 from the three point
line. WSC was 15 of 23 from the charity stripe.
Matt Fletcher’s 26 points took game-high scoring honors
for the Mustangs. He was 8 of 12 from the field and 7 of 10
from the three point line. Ryan Krome finished with 12 points,
followed by Jeremy VanKlompenburg with 11 and Travis Krenske
with 10. The Mustangs shot 43 percent from the field, making
25 of 58 shots. SMSU was 10 of 22 from the three point line
and 10 of 17 at the free throw line.
SMSU out-rebounded Wayne State 38-31 thanks to seven boards
by Krome and six from Fletcher. Wayne State’s top rebounder
was Jonathon Thomas with six caroms. WSC had just 12 turnovers
to 13 for SMSU. Both teams had 12 assists.
Wayne State will be at home again next weekend to close out
the regular season as Concordia-St. Paul visits Rice Auditorium
Friday night followed by a Saturday night showdown with MSU
Moorhead.
BRYCE CALDWELL
NAMED NEBRASKA NCAA DIVISION II PLAYER OF THE WEEK
February 12-------Bryce Caldwell
of Wayne State College was named the Nebraska NCAA Division
II Men’s Basketball Player of the Week Monday afternoon
following his performances in a pair of NSIC games for the
Wildcats over the weekend.
Caldwell, a 5-11 junior guard from Davenport, Iowa (North
HS) averaged 20 points and four rebounds a game as Wayne State
topped Upper Iowa and fell by eight points at #1 ranked Winona
State. Caldwell had 24 points on 7 of 9 shooting from the
field, including 6 of 8 from the three point line, in Friday
night’s 84-72 win at Upper Iowa. He then scored 16 points
the following night in an 80-72 loss at Division II #1 ranked
Winona State. For the weekend, Caldwell was 13 of 22 from
the field (.590), 10 of 17 from the three point line (.588)
and a perfect 4 of 4 at the free throw line.
Wayne State, 13-11 overall and 8-7 in the NSIC (fifth place),
will host Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday evening in
an 8:00 p.m. game at Rice Auditorium.
#1 WINONA STATE
HOLDS OFF LATE WAYNE STATE RALLY FOR 80-72 WIN OVER 'CATS
February 10------#1 ranked
Winona State held off a late Wayne State rally for an 80-72
Northern Sun Conference men’s college basketball win
over the Wildcats Saturday evening at McCown Gymnasium in
Winona, Minnesota. The host Warriors record their 45th straight
win dating back to last season and improved to 23-0 overall
this season and 14-0 in the NSIC while Wayne State slipped
to 13-11 overall and 8-7 in the league play.
With the exception of two ties and two early lead changes
in the first 3:30, Winona State led the entire game and held
a double digit lead for much of the night. The Warriors had
a 13 point lead in the first half, 31-18 with 9:23 to go,
and led 48-36 at halftime. Winona State’s biggest lead
of the game was 60-44 with 13:36 remaining, but WSC slowly
chipped away at the lead and pulled within four points, 73-69,
following a Bryce Caldwell three pointer with 3:50 remaining
in the game. However, Winona State used a three pointer by
senior guard Zach Malvik, a steal and dunk by Jonte Flowers
and a pair of free throws by Malvik down the stretch to hold
off Wayne State for the 80-72 win.
Junior center John Smith paced Winona State with 25 points
and 11 rebounds. Malvik finished with 19 points and Flowers
ended with 17 for the Warriors, who shot 48.2 percent from
the field on 27 of 56. Winona State was 6 of 15 from the three
point line and 20 of 24 at the charity stripe.
Senior guard Dallas Hodges led Wayne State in scoring with
19 points to go with six assists. Bryce Caldwell finished
with 16 points, followed by Jonathon Thomas with 11 points
and 12 rebounds. Matt Rathje also reached double figures with
10 points. The Wildcats were 26 of 60 from the field for 43.3
percent, 7 of 19 from the three point line and 13 of 17 at
the free throw line.
Wayne State out-rebounded Winona State 39-29 thanks to 12
caroms by Thomas and seven from Eric Johnson and Rathje. Smith
led Winona State with 11 boards. Winona State had just 11
turnovers to 16 for the ‘Cats.
Wayne State will play their final three NSIC games at home,
starting next Saturday when the Wildcats host travel partner
Southwest Minnesota State in an 8:00 p.m. contest at Rice
Auditorium.
HOT SHOOTING FOR
THE 'CATS GIVES THEM 84-72 VICTORY
February 9----- Junior guard
Bryce Caldwell hit six three-pointers and scored a game-high
24 points to lead Wayne State in an 84-72 victory over Upper
Iowa in men’s college basketball action on Friday evening
in Fayette, Iowa. WSC improved to 13-10 overall and 8-6 in
the NSIC, while UIU fell to 3-19 and 2-11 in the league.
The two teams exchanged baskets for the first seven minutes
of the game. Then it was Caldwell time as he connected on
four three pointers in a span of 2:30 to help the Wildcats
go on a 15-0 run to take a 27-12 advantage with 10:27 remaining
in the first half. Upper Iowa was able to cut the Wayne State
lead to just six points at that break 43-37.
In the second half, Wayne State was able to extend the lead
to 10 points with 8:11 remaining in the game after a lay up
by Jonathon Thomas. From that point on, the Peacocks could
only get to within seven points the rest of the way as the
‘Cats prevailed 84-72.
Caldwell led all scorers with 24 points including shooting
6 of 8 from long range. Thomas had 14 points and nine rebounds,
while David Walters contributed with 12 points. WSC shot an
impressive 28 of 48 (.583) from the field including 57.9 percent
from behind the arc (11 of 19).
For Upper Iowa, Nick Larson scored 23 points on 9 of 18 shooting.
Marcus Uhlenhopp hit four three-pointers and had 19 points.
UIU was 47.5 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from
the three point line.
WSC held a 32-28 advantage in rebounding over Upper Iowa.
The ‘Cats held the advantage at the free throw line
going 17 of 24 (.708), while the Peacocks were just 6 of 11
(.545).
Wayne State is back in action on Saturday evening as the Wildcats
will travel to Winona, Minnesota, to play the defending national
champions Winona State at 8:00 p.m.
THREE
POINT BARRAGE BY NORTHERN STATE TAKES DOWN WILDCATS 82-68
February 3-------Northern State
shot a blistering 15 of 24 (62.5 percent) from the three point
line as the Wolves handed Wayne State a 82-68 setback in Northern
Sun Conference men’s basketball played at Rice Auditorium
Saturday night.
WSC got off to a strong start, taking a 15-8 lead with 12:44
left in the first half. Later in the first half with WSC leading
21-17 at the 8:10 mark, Northern State took control of the
game with a 19-6 run to take a 36-27 lead with 2:45 to go
in the first half. The Wolves ended the first half with a
41-33 advantage over the Wildcats.
Northern State held a double-digit lead for much of the second
half, although WSC got within seven points of the Wolves,
71-64 with 3:46 to go, but the Wolves went back up by double
digits to pick up the 82-68 win.
Dallas Hodges scored 21 points to lead Wayne State in scoring
followed by freshman guard Jamar Diggs with 20. Matt Rathje
recorded his second straight double-double and fifth of the
season with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Wildcats shot 46.7
percent from the field, making 28 of 60 shots. WSC was just
4 of 14 from the three point line and 8 of 11 at the free
throw stripe.
Northern State was paced by Kevin Ratzsch, who scored 26 points
on 8 of 9 shooting from the three point line and 9 of 16 overall
from the field. Craig Nelson added 21 points while Dan Dewitt
and Levi Hamilton scored 11 points apiece. The Wolves shot
50 percent from the field on 26 of 52. NSU canned 15 of 24
three point attempts and 15 of 20 shots from the free throw
line.
WSC held a 33-28 advantage in rebounding over Northern State.
Rathje’s 10 rebounds led the Wildcats while Ratzsch
hauled in nine boards for the Wolves.
Wayne State will hit the road next weekend for their final
conference road trip of the season, visiting Upper Iowa Friday
night and #1 ranked Winona State Saturday night.
WAYNE STATE TIED
FOR FOURTH AFTER 75-65 WIN OVER THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY
February 2 ---- The Wayne State
College men’s basketball team moved into a tie for fourth
place in the NSIC after defeating the University of Mary 75-65
on Friday evening in Rice Auditorium. The Wildcats improved
to 12-9 overall and 7-5 in the NSIC, while the Marauders fell
to 8-13 overall and 4-8 in league play.
After falling behind 3-2 early in the first half, Wayne State
went on a 17-1 run that was capped by an offensive rebound
tip-in by freshman Brian Metz. The Marauders battled back
into the ballgame and closed the gap to within eight points
at halftime 39-31. The second half saw the University of Mary
get within one point with 6:20 left in the contest, but the
Wildcats were too much and ended the game on an 18-9 run to
close out the Marauders.
Wayne State was led by senior guard Dallas Hodges who scored
a game-high 22 points on seven of 12 shooting and seven rebounds.
Matt Rathje, a junior center from Watkins, Iowa, recorded
his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and
13 rebounds. Freshman Jamar Diggs and sophomore Jonathon Thomas
were also in double figures with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
WSC was 46.6 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from
the free throw line.
Center Zach Dosch scored a team-high 14 points to lead the
University of Mary offensively. He also was one rebound short
of having a double-double with nine boards. Eric Erdmann was
the only other player in double figures for the Marauders
with 11 points. Mary shot 39.0 percent from the field and
80.0 percent from the charity stripe.
WSC dominated UM in the block out-rebounding the Marauders
42-27 including 11 offensive rebounds compared to UM’s
five.
Wayne State is back in action Saturday evening hosting Northern
State University in Rice Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. The winner
of the game will take sole possession of fourth place in the
league with the top four seeds earning first round home games
at the conference tournament.
NSIC GAMES
NOW AVAILABLE VIA LIVE INTERNET BROADCAST
January 30 ----- The Northern
Sun Intercollegiate Converence along with Penn Atlantic have
joined forces to air live internet broadcast of NSIC men's
and women's conference basketball games. The pay-per-view
broadcasts, featuring live audio and video, will cost $6.50
per game or a men's or women's package can be purchased for
only $65.00. To view the games go to www.northernsun.tv and
register with an online account.
Penn Atlantic, Inc., based out of Charleston, S.C., is a communications
and media company focused on creating, aggregating and delivering
information and entertainment to a broad range of audiences
across the world. The primary focus of Penn Atlantic's product
line is to facilitate live internet video streaming of athletic
events to broadband pay-per-view viewers, which are comprised
of sports fans, alumni, students and other individuals who
have access to broadband connections... www.pennatlantic.com
Penn Atlantic broadcasts, delivered at 539 kbps,
are of the highest quality in collegiate athletics. As evidence
of this, the Company was contracted by the NCAA and CBA Sports
to exclusively deliver selected Division II and Division III
Championship games via the Internet.
The NSIC and Penn Atlantic will also work together next fall
to broadcast NSIC football games.
COLD
SHOOTING HURTS WAYNE STATE IN ROAD LOSS AT BEMIDJI STATE
January 27-----Cold shooting
hurt the Wayne State College men’s basketball team Saturday
evening in a 66-59 loss at Bemidji State in Northern Sun Conference
play. The Wildcats slipped to 11-9 overall and 6-5 in the
NSIC while Bemidji State moves to 3-17 overall and 3-8 in
league play.
The Wildcats struggled from the field in the first half, hitting
just 7 of 23 shots (30 percent) as WSC fell behind 27-14 with
4:58 left in the first half. WSC was able to cut the Beavers’
lead to 10 at halftime 30-20. The Wildcats were able to use
slightly better shooting at the start of the second half to
get within two points of Bemidji State on several instances
with the last being 52-50 at the 3:54 mark following a 3-pointer
by Bryce Caldwell, his fourth of the second half. However,
the Wildcats were victimized by several questionable calls
down the stretch, which led to the ejection of Wayne State
coach Rico Burkett along with a technical foul on Wildcat
sophomore forward Jonathon Thomas, and Bemidji State used
the extra free throws to seal the win over the Wildcats.
Thomas notched a double-double to lead the Wildcats with 17
points and 11 rebounds, his first double-double of the season.
Bryce Caldwell finished with 14 points while Matt Rathje added
13. The Wildcats made just 21 of 54 shots from the field (38.9
percent), including a chilly 5 of 23 from the three point
line. WSC was 12 of 18 at the free throw stripe.
Marques Ramos recorded a double-double to lead Bemidji State
with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Arron Evans accounted for
12 points while Alex Smith chipped in with 11 points and eight
rebounds. The Beavers hit 41 percent from the field on 20
of 48 shooting. BSU was 5 of 13 behind the three point line
and 21 of 33 at the free throw stripe.
WSC out-rebounded Bemidji State 35-33 thanks to Thomas’
11 caroms. Ramos led BSU in rebounding with 10. Wayne State
returns home following a five-game NSIC road trip and will
host the University of Mary on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m.
as the Wildcats will play five of their last seven games in
Rice Auditorium.
WILDCATS HANG
ON FOR 82-80 WIN AT MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON
January 26-----Bryce Caldwell
and David Walters scored 20 points each to help Wayne State
hang on for a 82-80 Northern Sun Conference men’s basketball
win over Minnesota, Crookston at Lysaker Gymnasium in Crookston,
Minnesota.
Minnesota, Crookston held a slim 35-34 lead at halftime following
a see-saw first half that witnessed numerous lead changes
and five ties. Wayne State gained the momentum early in the
second half and built an 11 point lead at 64-53 with 11:42
left in the game following a layup by freshman guard Jamar
Diggs. But the host Golden Eagles fought back and tied the
score at 73-73 with 5:01 left after a layup by Joey Kollar.
WSC then went on a 7-2 run to go in front 82-75 with 2:43
left, but UMC used a layup by Jordan Grafsgaard and a three
pointer from Garry Thompson with :46 seconds left to pull
within two at 82-80. Wayne State’s Jamar Diggs missed
a jumper with :17 seconds left to give UMC the ball. Following
a timeout with eight seconds left, the Golden Eagles had a
chance to tie the game, but WSC junior center Matt Rathje
stole a pass intended for Grafsgaard and got the ball to Dallas
Hodges, who was fouled with 00.8 seconds left in the game.
Hodges missed the free throw and time ran out as WSC was able
to hold back Minnesota, Crookston for the 82-80 win.
WSC had four players in double figures, led by Walters and
Caldwell with 20 points each. Walters was one point shy of
his career high while Caldwell hit four three pointers in
the game to highlight an 8 for 10 night shooting from the
field. Matt Rathje added 19 points and Jonathon Thomas finished
with 13 for the Wildcats, who shot 70 percent (21 of 30) in
the second half and 56.9 percent for the game on 33 of 58
shots from the field.
For Minnesota, Crookston, Bryce Cummings scored 16 points,
followed by Garry Thompson with 15 and Jordan Grafsgaard and
Mario Bonner with 10 apiece. The Golden Eagles made 35 of
65 shots from the field for 53.8 percent.
UMC held a slim 31-30 edge in rebounding over Wayne State.
Garry Thompson had seven rebounds to lead the Golden Eagles
while Wayne State’s top rebounder was Rathje with 11.
Dallas Hodges handed out a game-high eight assists for the
Wildcats, who finished with 18 assists and 17 turnovers in
the game.
Wayne State will wrap up their five-game NSIC road trip Saturday
evening with an 8:00 p.m. game at Bemidji State.
COLD SHOOTING
IN SECOND HALF DOOMS WAYNE STATE IN 77-66 LOSS AT CONCORDIA-ST.
PAUL
January 20------Wayne State
shot just 5 of 29 from the field in the second half (17 percent)
in a 77-66 loss at Concordia-St. Paul Saturday night in Northern
Sun Conference men’s basketball. The host Golden Bears
are now 13-4 overall and 7-2 in the NSIC while Wayne State
slips to 10-8 overall and 5-4 in league play.
The game was a tale of two halves as Wayne State came out
on fire shooting the ball, taking a 29-11 lead with 9:03 left
in the first half thanks to four three pointers from Bryce
Caldwell and two by David Walters. However, Concordia-St.
Paul chipped away at the lead and trailed by just four points
at halftime 44-40. Cold shooting would doom the Wildcats in
the second half as WSC made just 5 of 29 shots from the field,
including 0 of 10 from the three point line. Wayne State’s
last lead was at 50-48 with 16:17 left in the game following
a basket by Jonathon Thomas. CSP slowly pulled away and went
on to the 77-66 win over the Wildcats.
Bryce Caldwell led Wayne State in scoring with 15 points,
all in the first half on 5 of 6 shooting from the three point
line. He finished the game 5 of 9 from long range and 5 of
13 overall from the field. Jamar Diggs added 12 points with
David Walters scoring 11 to round out the double figure scorers
for the Wildcats. Wayne State’s leading scorer Dallas
Hodges (18.1 ppg) was held to just eight points, hitting just
1 of 13 shots from the field. WSC shot 22 of 59 from the field
overall for 37 percent. The ‘Cats were 7 of 22 from
the three point line and 15 of 18 at the free throw stripe.
Concordia-St. Paul was paced by Marlon Walker’s game-high
21 points. Drew Shepp contributed 16 points with Kyle Marxhausen
adding 15 points for the Golden Bears. CSP made 29 of 65 shots
from the field for 44 percent. The Golden Bears were just
4 of 17 from the three point line and 15 of 28 at the charity
stripe.
CSP out-rebounded Wayne State 46-36 as Walker hauled in eight
boards for Concordia-St. Paul. Wayne State’s top rebounder
was Matt Rathje with nine.
Wayne State will be on the road again next weekend, visiting
Minnesota-Crookston Friday night and Bemidji State Saturday
night to conclude a five-game NSIC road trip.
WILDCATS
WIN OVERTIME THRILLER AT MSU MOORHEAD 91-88
January 19-----Wayne State
outlasted MSU Moorhead 91-88 in overtime Friday evening in
Northern Sun Conference men’s basketball played in Moorhead,
Minnesota. The visiting Wildcats moved to 5-3 in league play
and 10-7 overall while dropping the host Dragons to 8-9 overall
and 3-5 in the NSIC.
The game featured 11 ties and six lead changes. With the score
tied at 22-22 with 8:33 left in the first half, WSC went on
a 7-0 run to go in front 29-22 with 7:21 left in the first
half. However, MSUM slowly cut into the lead and the Wildcats
led by two at halftime, 35-33.
MSU Moorhead cam out on fire in the second half and built
a 14-point lead at 53-39 with 14:18 left in the game before
Wayne State started a comeback. The Wildcats regained the
lead at 76-75 following a Dallas Hodges three-pointer with
1:34 remaining in regulation. MSUM held a 78-76 lead with
8.2 seconds after Jamal O’Neal sank two free throws
and Blake Strouth made one of two from the charity stripe.
WSC drove the length of the floor and with one second left
Dallas Hodges sank an 18-footer to tie the score at 78-78
and send the game to overtime.
After MSUM scored the first four points of the overtime session
to go up 82-78, WSC used a three pointer by Bryce Caldwell
and a basket by Jonathon Thomas to tie the score at 83-83
with 2:34 to go in overtime. Following the game’s 11th
and final tie at 85-85, Wildcat freshman guard Jamar Diggs
drained a pair of free throws with 1:45 remaining in the extra
session to put WSC in front 87-85. MSUM’s Blake Strouth
gave the Dragons the lead back at 88-87 with a three pointer
with 1:14 left. A Dallas Hodges jumper with :24 seconds in
overtime gave WSC an 89-88 lead. Strouth missed a shot with
four seconds left, Diggs grabbed the rebound and was fouled,
sealing the win with two free throws with two seconds remaining
to give WSC the overtime win. The Wildcats are now 3-0 in
overtime games this season.
Bryce Caldwell finished with a game-high 29 points to lead
WSC in scoring. The junior guard connected on 9 of 14 three
pointers and was 10 of 15 overall from the field in the game.
Dallas Hodges scored all 20 of his points in the second half
and overtime while Jonathon Thomas accounted for 17 points
and Jamar Diggs finished with 10, including a perfect 8 of
8 from the foul stripe. WSC was 32 of 64 from the field for
50 percent. The Wildcats made a season-high 14 shots from
the three point line in 26 attempts for 53 percent and was
a perfect 13 of 13 at the free throw stripe.
Five players reached double figures for MSU Moorhead as Blake
Strouth, Jamal O’Neal and Lee Isaacson scored 18 points
apiece, followed by Matt Aakre with 14 and Craig Williams
with 13. The Dragons were 33 of 66 from the field for 50 percent,
11 of 23 from the three point line and 11 of 15 at the charity
stripe.
MSU Moorhead held a 35-26 advantage in rebounding over Wayne
State as Williams hauled in 12 boards for the Dragons while
Jonathon Thomas led Wayne State with seven caroms.
Wayne State will be at Concordia-St. Paul Saturday evening
for a Northern Sun Conference contest starting at 8:00 p.m.
WAYNE STATE
FALLS IN HEARTBREAKER AT SMSU 69-68
January 13------Travis Krenske
of Southwest Minnesota State sank a three pointer at the buzzer
to give the host Mustangs a 69-68 come-from-behind win over
Wayne State in Northern Sun Conference men’s basketball
played Saturday evening in Marshall, Minnesota. It was the
only lead in the second half for the Mustangs, who erased
a 16-point deficit with 15:55 left in the game. SMSU improved
to 10-6 overall and 6-1 in the NSIC while Wayne State slipped
to 9-7 overall and 4-3 in the league.
The visiting Wildcats controlled much of the game until SMSU
rallied late to top WSC. With the scored tied at 15-15 midway
through the first half, WSC went on a 15-5 run to grab a 30-20
lead with 4:43 left in the game following a three pointer
by Dallas Hodges. The Wildcats ended the first half with a
32-27 lead. WSC came out strong in the second half and built
a 47-31 lead at the 15:55 mark following a made free throw
by David Walters. SMSU slowly chipped away at the lead and
took its only lead of the second half on the final possession
of the game as Krenske drained the game-winner to give the
host Mustangs the victory.
Junior guard Bryce Caldwell had 25 points to lead Wayne State
on 9 of 15 shooting from the field and 7 of 11 from the three
point line. Dallas Hodges added 16 points and 10 assists while
David Walters finished with 13 points. The ‘Cats shot
53 percent from the field on 26 of 49, including 11 of 19
from the three point line, and 5 of 10 from the charity stripe.
Southwest Minnesota State’s top scorer was Chad Orum
with a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds. Travis Krenske
finished with 12 points, including the game winner. The Mustangs
made 25 of 53 shots from the field for 47 percent. SMSU was
5 of 17 from the three point line and 14 of 21 at the free
throw stripe.
SMSU won the rebounding battle 32-25 over WSC. Orum and Ross
DeMasi grabbed seven boards each for the Mustangs while Matt
Rathje hauled in a game-high 10 rebounds for Wayne State.
Wayne State hits the road again next weekend, visiting MSU
Moorhead Friday night and Concordia-St. Paul Saturday night
in Northern Sun Conference action.
WILDCATS OUTLAST
MORNINGSIDE IN OVERTIME 90-84
January 8-------Wayne State
outlasted Morningside 90-84 in overtime in men’s college
basketball played Monday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.
The Wildcats moved to 9-6 on the season with the win while
dropping Morningside to 12-7 overall.
The game was close throughout as neither team led by more
than six points in a game that featured 14 ties and 10 lead
changes. Wayne State held the lead for most of the first half
and enjoyed a 38-34 halftime advantage. Both teams had chances
to win the game in regulation but the game went into overtime
tied at 79-79. With the score tied at 77-77 with 1:07 left
in regulation, Wayne State’s Matt Rathje scored on a
layup to put the ‘Cats in front 79-77. Morningside’s
Thomas Pargett missed a three pointer with :40 seconds left
and Wayne State’s Dallas Hodges grabbed the rebound.
But Morningside forced Hodges into a turnover with :18 seconds
left to get the ball back. Jack Rother of Morningside was
fouled by Hodges with 4.4 seconds left and hit a pair of free
throws to tie the score at 79-79. A turnover by Hodges with
1.9 seconds left near mid court gave Morningside the ball
back and a chance to win the game. Morningside’s Jack
Rother was just long on a three pointer as time expired to
send the game into overtime tied at 79-79.
The Mustangs scored the first three points in overtime to
grab an 82-79 lead and was in front 84-81 with 1:44 left in
overtime following two free throws by Rother. Hodges made
a pair of free throws for WSC to cut the lead to one, 84-83
with 1:26 left in overtime. After a missed shot by Morningside’s
Matt Johnson, Hodges made two more free throws to put WSC
ahead for good at 85-84 with 1:02 remaining. Wayne State’s
Bryce Caldwell was fouled after grabbing a rebound following
a missed three pointer by Pargett and made two free throws
to put WSC ahead 87-84 with :35 seconds left in overtime.
Morningside’s Shane Michael missed a trey, followed
by Hodges connecting on two more free throws to put WSC ahead
89-84 with :11 left. Rother missed a three pointer with :05
seconds left and Hodges made one of two free throws with one
second left to give Wayne State the 90-84 overtime win.
Hodges scored 31 points to lead Wayne State in scoring. The
senior guard was 8 of 13 from the field and 14 of 16 at the
free throw line. Bryce Caldwell added 21 points while Matt
Rathje finished with 16 points. Wayne State shot 57.7 percent
from the field, making 30 of 52 shots. The ‘Cats were
6 of 14 from the three point line and 24 of 32 at the free
throw stripe.
Jack Rother scored a game-high 33 points to lead Morningside.
Thomas Pargett accounted for 16 pointsw, followed by Seth
Atkins with 14 and Matt Johnson with 10. The Mustangs made
just 28 of 71 shots from the field (39 percent), 11 of 33
three pointers and 17 of 22 at the free throw line.
Wayne State held a commanding 47-24 edge in rebounding thanks
to 11 rebounds by Jonathon Thomas and nine caroms from Rathje.
Morningside’s top rebounder was Pargett with nine.
WSC had 26 turnovers in the game to just 10 for Morningside.
Wayne State returns to Northern Sun Conference play Saturday
evening with an 8:00 p.m. contest at Southwest Minnesota State
in Marshall, Minnesota to open a five-game conference road
trip.
WAYNE STATE
BOUNCES UPPER IOWA 75-62 THANKS TO 22 POINTS FROM DALLAS HODGES
January 6-------Senior guard
Dallas Hodges scored a game-high 22 points to lead Wayne State
past Upper Iowa 75-62 in Northern Sun Conference men’s
basketball played Saturday evening in Wayne. The host Wildcats
improved to 8-6 overall and 4-2 in league play with the win
while Upper Iowa falls to 2-12 overall and 1-4 in the NSIC.
Wayne State jumped out to a 13-0 lead to start the game and
built a 20 point first half lead at 37-17 with 1:20 left in
the half before settling for a 40-23 halftime lead. Upper
Iowa made a run at the Wildcats to open the second half, cutting
the lead down to just one point, 47-46 with 12:38 left, following
a jumper by Mohammed Animashaun. But WSC responded by going
on a 12-2 run to go back in front 59-48 with 8:53 to go. Upper
Iowa never got closer than seven points and WSC went on to
the 75-62 win.
Hodges was a perfect 10 of 10 from the free throw line to
help score his game-high 22 points. Bryce Caldwell added 15
points, followed by Jonathon Thomas and Jamar Diggs with 10
points each. The Wildcats were 21 of 50 from the field for
42 percent, 9 of 21 from the three point line and 24 of 33
at the free throw stripe.
Upper Iowa’s top scorers were Nick Larson and Marcus
Uhlenhopp with 14 points apiece. Mohammed Animashaun finished
with 13 points. The Peacocks shot 35.4 percent from the field
on 23 of 65. UIU was 8 of 20 from the three point line and
8 of 13 at the free throw line.
Upper Iowa won the rebounding battle over Wayne State 43-37.
Leif Heitzler led the Peacocks in rebounding with eight while
Matt Rathje grabbed 10 boards to lead Wayne State.
Wayne State will be at home again Monday evening to host Morningside
in a non-conference game starting at 7:00 p.m. at Rice Auditorium.
#1 WINONA
STATE DOMINATES WAYNE STATE 107-74
January 5----------NCAA Division
II top-ranked Winona State made 18 of its first 24 shots to
build a 44-14 first half lead as the Warriors went on to route
Wayne State 107-74 in Northern Sun Conference men’s
basketball played Friday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.
It was the 34th straight win for Winona State dating back
to last season as the Warriors moved to 12-0 this year and
4-0 in the NSIC while Wayne State slipped to 7-6 overall and
3-2 in league play.
Winona State built a commanding 67-34 lead at halftime, thanks
to 26 of 38 shooting in the first half (68.4 percent). The
Warriors had six players finish in double figures and ended
the game shooting 55.7 percent from the field on 39 of 70.
Freshman guard David Johnson came off the bench and scored
a game-high 17 points to lead Winona State. Junior center
John Smith contributed a double-double with 16 points and
10 rebounds to go with six assists. Also reaching double digits
were Zach Malvik with 16, Jonte Flowers 15, Quincy Henderson
11 and Brent Riese 11. Winona State had 27 assists to just
12 turnovers and out-rebounded Wayne State 41-28.
Wayne State was paced by freshman guard Jamar Diggs’
14 points. David Walters accounted for 13, followed by Matt
Rathje, Dallas Hodges and Tim Taylor with 12 points apiece.
The Wildcats shot 45.5 percent from the field on 30 of 66
shots. Rathje and Taylor each grabbed five rebounds to lead
the ‘Cats on the boards.
Wayne State will be at home again Saturday evening as the
Wildcats host Upper Iowa University in a Northern Sun Conference
contest starting at 8:00 p.m. at Rice Auditorium.
WALTERS'
30-FOOTER AT BUZZER GIVES WAYNE STATE 70-67 WIN OVER MOUNT
MARTY
December 30-------Sophomore
guard David Walters banked in a 30-footer as time expired
to give Wayne State a 70-67 win over stubborn Mount Marty
College in non-conference men’s basketball played Saturday
afternoon at Rice Auditorium in Wayne. The Wildcats improved
to 7-5 with the win while dropping Mount Marty College to
6-10 overall.
The host Wildcats could never shake the visiting Lancers as
the game was close throughout. Mount Marty built a four point
lead early in the game at 13-9 with 12:41 left in the first
half following a jumper by Skyler Bolks. The Wildcats put
together a run midway through the first half and built a 28-20
lead with 6:01 remaining in the first half after a three pointer
by Bryce Caldwell. The Lancers stayed within reach and trailed
by five at halftime, 35-30.
WSC started quickly in the second half, taking a 41-32 lead
at the 18:31 mark after a three point play by Dallas Hodges.
However, Mount Marty scored the next nine points to knot the
score at 41-41 less than one minute later to get right back
in the game. The Wildcats would build a 10 point lead, 55-45,
with 10:06 left in the game, but the Lancers slowly chipped
away at the lead and tied the score at 67-67 on a layup by
Travis Ptacek with :56 seconds left in the game. A missed
jumper by Hodges with :39 seconds left gave Mount Marty the
ball and a chance to win the game. MMC’s Alan Hough
missed a shot with eight seconds left, but Ptacek grabbed
the offensive rebound and missed a 10-foot jumper with four
seconds left. Wayne State’s Matt Rathje grabbed the
rebound, launched an outlet pass to David Walters just past
the halfcourt stripe. In stride, Walters grabbed the pass
and shot the ball, banking in a 30-footer at the buzzer to
give Wayne State the dramatic win.
Hodges led WSC in scoring with 20 points. Rathje accounted
for a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, followed
by Bryce Caldwell with 13 points and Walters finishing with
10. The Wildcats shot 21 of 49 from the field for 42.9 percent,
5 of 18 from the three point line and 23 of 35 at the free
throw stripe.
J.J. Heyden poured in a game-high 30 points to lead the Lancers,
the only player to reach double figures for Mount Marty College.
MMC was 23 of 55 from the field (41.8 percent), 1 of 6 from
the three point line and 20 of 32 at the charity stripe. The
Lancers held a 38-34 rebounding edge over Wayne State thanks
to nine rebounds from Heyden. Wayne State’s top rebounder
was Rathje with 10.
Wayne State returns to Northern Sun Conference play on Friday
evening, January 5th, when the Wildcats host top-ranked and
defending Division II national champion Winona State in an
8:00 p.m. contest at Rice Auditorium.
BIG SECOND HALF
LIFTS AUGUSTANA PAST WAYNE STATE 64-55
December 21------Augustana
outscored Wayne State 43-28 in the second half to rally for
a 64-55 men’s college basketball win over Wayne State
Thursday evening at Rice Auditorium in Wayne. The visiting
Vikings improved to 10-2 on the season with the win while
Wayne State slipped to 6-5.
Augustana held the lead for most of the first half until Wayne
State used a late surge to end the half to take a 27-21 lead.
Augustana held an early 8-2 lead at the 15:57 mark, but Wayne
State bounced back to take their first lead of the game at
13-12 with 8:11 left in the first half. Later in the half
with the score tied at 18-18, Wayne State outscored Augustana
9-3 in the final 4:51 of the half to grab a 27-21 halftime
advantage.
The host Wildcats built an early nine point lead in the second
half, 32-23 with 19:12 left in the game, but Augustana surged
back to gain the lead at 38-37 with 13:29 left in the game
following a three pointer by Kenny Hartzell. The two teams
exchanged several leads and ties until Augustana took the
lead for good at 46-44 with 8:20 left following a three pointer
by Joey Ryan. The Vikings built the lead to six, 52-46 with
5:53 left, but Wayne State made one more run at the Vikings.
The Wildcats cut the lead to one on three occasions with the
last coming on a Matt Rathje layup with 1:13 left to cut the
Augustana lead to 56-55. A layup by Nick Olson put Augustana
up 58-55 with :53 left, then the Wildcats committed a turnover
and missed three shots in the final minute and watched Augustana
sink 6 of 6 free throws down the stretch to seal the 64-55
win over the Wildcats.
Joey Ryan led a balanced scoring attack for the 10-2 Vikings
with 16 points. Ian Thomas added 10 points for Augustana,
who shot 39 percent from the field on 22 of 56. The Vikings
were 10 of 20 from the three point line and 10 of 13 at the
free throw stripe.
Wayne State was led by Dallas Hodges with a game-high 20 points.
David Walters contributed 13 points while Matt Rathje scored
10 for the Wildcats. WSC was just 21 of 56 from the field
for 37.5 percent. The ‘Cats were 7 of 28 (25 percent)
from the three point line and 6 of 10 at the charity stripe.
Wayne State won the rebounding battle over the Vikings 39-34.
Bryce Caldwell grabbed eight boards to lead Wayne State while
Nick Olson hauled in 10 rebounds to pace Augustana.
The Wildcats return to action on Saturday afternoon, December
30 when Wayne State hosts Mount Marty College in a 3:00 p.m.
game at Rice Auditorium.
ST. CLOUD STATE
EXTENDS WINNING STREAK TO EIGHT AFTER 65-52 DEFEAT OF WAYNE
STATE
December 16----- The Wayne
State men’s basketball team fell 65-52 to St. Cloud
State on Saturday evening at Rice Auditorium. The Huskies
extended their winning streak to eight games and improved
to 9-1 overall, while the Wildcats are now 6-4.
St. Cloud State jumped out to a 9-0 lead after connecting
on five of their first nine shots. Wayne State closed the
gap to three points at 22-19 after junior guard Bryce Caldwell
made an 18-foot jump shot with 3:40 remaining. The Huskies
responded by scoring the final nine points of the half to
take a 31-19 lead into the locker room. SCSU out-scored WSC
34-33 in the second half to defeat the ‘Cats 65-52.
The Huskies were led by junior guard David Dreas who scored
a game high 30 points on 11 of 20 shooting from the field
including making four three-pointers. Eric Greene was also
in double figures with 14 points. Adam Sullivan grabbed six
rebounds to lead SCSU on the boards.
Matt Rathje, a junior center from Watkins, Iowa, scored a
team-high 14 points and six rebounds to lead Wayne State.
Freshman guard Jamar Diggs was the only other double figure
scorer with 12 points.
WSC shot 43.5 percent from the field, 17.6 percent from three
point line and 64.3 percent from the free throw line. SCSU
was 42.9 percent from the field, 31.6 percent from behind
the arc and 78.6 percent from the charity stripe. The Huskies
forced 18 Wildcat turnovers including 15 by WSC in the first
half.
Wayne State is back in action against Augustana College on
Thursday evening with tip off at 8:00 p.m. at Rice Auditorium.
CAREER-HIGH
NIGHTS BY RATHJE, WALTERS CARRY 'CATS IN WIN AT MARY---HODGES
SCORES 1,000TH POINT
December 9--------The Wayne
State men’s basketball team rode career-high performances
by Matt Rathje and David Walters, along with a milestone from
Dallas Hodges, to record an 84-71 win at the University of
Mary Saturday evening in Northern Sun Conference basketball
played in Bismarck, North Dakota.
The Wildcats led most of the game, but used a big run in the
final six minutes to polish off the Marauders. WSC held a
33-27 lead at halftime, but Mary fought back early in the
second half and battled with the Wildcats and held the lead
several times. Following the game’s sixth tie at 60-60
with 7:11 left in the game, WSC started to pull away from
the Marauders and went on to the 84-71 win.
Rathje, a junior center from Watkins, Iowa, scored a career-high
25 points in just 26 minutes, going 8 of 13 from the field
and 9 of 13 at the charity stripe. Walters, a sophomore guard
from Conrad, Iowa, poured in a career-high 21 points, including
a perfect 12 of 12 shooting from the free throw line, to lead
Wayne State in the win. Bryce Caldwell added 12 points while
Dallas Hodges accounted for 11 points and became the 28th
player in school history to reach 1,000 points in his career
at Wayne State College.
The Wildcats shot 52 percent from the field on 26 of 50 and
made 27 of 35 free throws, including 21 of 25 in the second
half.
Mary’s top scorer was Eric Erdman, who scored game-high
32 points. Jordan Englehardt added 13 points. The Marauders
shot 25 of 61 from the field (41 percent) and was 12 of 12
at the free throw line.
Wayne State held a commanding 38-23 advantage in rebounding
over Mary. Rathje grabbed a game-high eight rebounds to lead
Wayne State while Erdmann grabbed five rebounds for Mary.
Wayne State, now 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the NSIC, returns
to action Saturday night at home when the Wildcats host St.
Cloud State at 7:00 p.m.
NORTHERN STATE
RUNS AWAY WITH AN 82-66 DEFEAT OF WILDCATS
December 8----Northern State
took advantage of poor Wayne State shooting in defeating the
‘Cats 82-66 in a NSIC men’s basketball game at
Aberdeen, South Dakota, on Friday evening. NSU improved to
6-3 overall and 2-1 in the NSIC, while WSC fell to 5-3 and
2-1 in the league.
Northern State jumped out to a 14-7 lead after making six
straight field goals in the first five minutes of the game.
The Wolves never trailed and were tied with Wayne State at
2-2 and 5-5 early in the first half. NSU shot an impressive
70.8 percent from the field in the first half including 7
of 12 from the three point line (58.3%) to enjoy a 42-28 halftime
lead.
The second half was no different as Northern State’s
outstanding shooting continued as the Wolves were able to
extend the lead to as many as 19 points in the second half.
After scoring a season-low 28 points in the first half, the
‘Cats responded with 38 points in the second half. Freshman
Jamar Diggs hit a three-pointer with 0:30 seconds remaining
to make the final score 82-66.
Wayne State was led by senior guard Dallas Hodges who scored
a game-high 26 points on 8 of 16 shooting and was a perfect
10 of 10 from the free throw line. Jonathon Thomas was the
only other scorer in double figures for the ‘Cats with
10 points. Senior center Matt Rathje grabbed a team-high six
rebounds.
Northern State had five players in double figures and was
led by Kevin Ratzsch who scored 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting
from the field. Craig Nelson and Mitch Boeck scored 16 and
12 points, respectively. Luke Wicks and Robert Thomas also
scored in double figures off the bench with 12 and 10 points.
The leading rebounders for the Wolves were Ratzsch and Thomas
both grabbing six apiece.
WSC struggled from the field shooting 39.2 percent for the
game including going 3 of 21 from behind the arc (14.3%).
NSU finished at 65.9 percent from the field and 52.6 percent
from the three point line.
Wayne State is back in action tomorrow evening as the ‘Cats
will play the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota,
at 8:00 p.m.
JONATHON THOMAS
NAMED NEBRASKA NCAA DIV. II PLAYER OF THE WEEK
December 4------Jonathon Thomas
of Wayne State College was named the Nebraska NCAA Division
II Men’s Basketball Player of the Week Monday afternoon
following his performances in a pair of NSIC home wins for
the Wildcats over the weekend.
Thomas, a 6-6 forward from Earlville, Iowa, averaged 22 points
and 7.5 rebounds in wins over Bemidji State and Minnesota-Crookston.
Thomas poured in a career-high 29 points and grabbed nine
rebounds in Saturday’s 96-89 overtime win over Minnesota-Crookston
to go with 15 points and six rebounds in a 81-68 win over
Bemidji State. For the weekend, Thomas shot 80.9 percent from
the field (17 of 21) and 87.5 percent from the free throw
line (7 of 8).
Wayne State. 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC, will travel
to Northern State Friday night and the University of Mary
in North Dakota on Saturday night for a pair of NSIC contests.
WILDCATS
OUTLAST MINN.-CROOKSTON IN OVERTIME 96-89
December 2------Wayne State
outlasted Minnesota-Crookston 96-89 in overtime in Northern
Sun Conference men’s basketball played Saturday evening
in Wayne. The Wildcats moved to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the
NSIC while the visiting Golden Eagles dropped to 0-7 overall
and 0-2 in league play.
Wayne State held the lead for nearly the entire first half,
holding leads of eight points on several occasions but was
ahead by just one point at halftime 39-38. Minnesota-Crookston
used an 18-7 run to open the second half to take a 56-46 lead
over the Wildcats with 13:43 to go in the game. The Wildcats
cut into the lead and went back in front 66-65 following a
pair of Jamar Diggs free throws with 6:40 left in the game.
UMC regained the lead at 75-73 with 3:03 remaining after a
three pointer from Bryce Cummings. The Wildcats answered with
a trey from Bryce Caldwell to go up 76-75 with 1:38 remaining.
The Golden Eagles regained the lead at 77-76 with 1:00 remaining
following a jumper from Delano Thompson. Wayne State’s
Dallas Hodges hit a shot with :30 seconds left to put the
Wildcats back in front 78-77. A steal and layup by WSC freshman
guard Jamar Diggs with 8.9 seconds left gave the ‘Cats
an 80-77 lead, but UMC freshman guard Bryce Cummings drained
a three pointer from the right wing as time expired to send
the game into overtime at 80-80.
In the overtime after each team exchanged baskets, WSC scored
the next six points to go ahead 88-82 with 1:34 remaining
following four straight points by Jonathon Thomas. UMC did
cut the lead to 90-87 on a Delano Robinson three pointer with
:20 seconds left, but WSC hit six straight free throws, four
by Jamar Diggs and two by David Walters, to hold off the Golden
Eagles and win 96-89 in overtime.
Jonathon Thomas finished the game with a career-high 29 points
to lead Wayne State in scoring. Junior guard Bryce Caldwell
added 26 points, including six three pointers. Also reaching
double figures were Matt Rathje with 12 points and Jamar Diggs
with 11 points. The Wildcats shot 52.8 percent from the field
on 28 of 53, including 8 of 16 from the three point line.
The ‘Cats were 32 of 38 at the free throw line for 84.2
percent.
For Minnesota-Crookston, freshman guard Bryce Cummings led
five double figure scorers with 18 points. Joey Kollar accounted
for 15 points and five assists. The Golden Eagles made 33
of 79 shots for 41.8 percent, 13 of 29 three pointers for
44 percent and 10 of 11 free throws for 90 percent.
Both teams had 38 rebounds as Thomas grabbed nine caroms for
WSC while Logan Frami grabbed six rebounds for Minnesota-Crookston.
Wayne State hits the road next weekend for a pair of Northern
Sun Conference games, at Northern State Friday night and at
the University of Mary in North Dakota Saturday night.
WAYNE STATE
OPENS NSIC PLAY WITH 81-68 WIN OVER BEMIDJI STATE
December 1-------Wayne State
opened Northern Sun Conference men’s basketball play
Friday evening with an 81-68 win over Bemidji State at Rice
Auditorium in Wayne. The Wildcats improved to 4-2 overall
and 1-0 in the league while dropping Bemidji State to 0-7
and 0-1.
Bemidji State started the game strong, taking early leads
of 5-0 and 7-2. After exchanging several ties and leads, WSC
took the lead for good with a 12-0 run over a 4:10 stretch
to erase a 13-10 lead at the 12:12 mark and go in front 22-13
with 8:02 left in the half. The Wildcats led by as many as
12 points before taking a 39-30 lead at halftime.
The Wildcats put the game out of reach to start the second
half with an 11-0 run to go up 50-30 with 14:41 left in the
game before Bemidji State scored in the second half.
Freshman guard Jamar Diggs poured in a career-high 20 points
to pace a balanced scoring attack for Wayne State. Senior
Dallas Hodges accounted for 18 points and five assists while
sophomore forward Jonathon Thomas scored 15 points. Junior
center Matt Rathje had his first ever double double with 14
points and 10 rebounds.
WSC shot 51.5 percent from the field, making 34 of 66 shots.
The Wildcats were just 4 of 18 from the three point line and
9 of 15 at the charity stripe.
For Bemidji State, Marques Ramos had 19 points with Alex Smith
adding 18 points. The Beavers shot 40.3 percent from the floor
on 25 of 62 and hit 5 of 9 three point shots while converting
13 of 20 attempts from the free throw line.
WSC held a commanding 46-30 advantage in rebounding thanks
to Rathje’s 10 caroms while Bryce Caldwell added eight
boards. BSU’s top rebounder was Sergej Baskow with six.
Wayne State will host Minnesota-Crookston Saturday evening
in a Northern Sun Conference contest starting at 8:00 p.m.
at Rice Auditorium.
WILDCATS DROP CLOSE
ONE TO UNK 80-77
November 28------Nebraska-Kearney
never trailed, but had to hang on for an 80-77 win over Wayne
State in men’s college basketball Tuesday evening played
at Rice Auditorium in Wayne. The Lopers improve to 3-1 with
the win while Wayne State slips to 3-2 overall.
UNK set the tone early, jumping out to a 14-4 lead with 14:48
left in the first half. WSC chipped away at the lead and got
as close as one point in the first half at 23-22 with 9:10
remaining in the half following a three pointer by Bryce Caldwell.
However, the Lopers built the lead back up to 12 points, 44-32,
before settling for a 44-34 halftime lead.
The second half saw UNK maintain a double-digit lead until
Wayne State made a run at the Lopers midway through the second
half, keeping the game close the rest of the way. With UNK
leading 60-47 at the 11:36 mark, WSC scored the next 13 points
to tie the game for first time at 60-60 following a layup
by Caldwell with 8:06 left in the game. The Wildcats would
knot the score two more times, 65-65 with 5:27 remaining after
a jumper by Dallas Hodges, and 75-75 with 1:07 left following
a three pointer by David Walters. UNK regained the lead at
78-75 with :40 left following a three point play by James
Lanes. On the next possession, Wayne State’s Dallas
Hodges converted a layup with :29 left to cut the Loper lead
to one at 78-77. WSC then fouled UNK freshman guard Drake
Beranek, who drained two free throws to give the Lopers an
80-77 lead with :22 seconds left. The Wildcats next possession
saw two missed shots, a three pointer by Hodges and a missed
offensive put-back by Matt Rathje, but WSC still maintained
possession following the two misses with 1.9 seconds remaining.
Following a timeout, a three pointer by Hodges in the left
corner with less than one second remaining missed off the
back of the rim, allowing UNK to escape with an 80-77 win.
Both teams shot 49.2 percent in the game. UNK was 30 of 61
and WSC hit 29 of 59 shots from the field. UNK was 6 of 21
from the three point line and 14 of 20 at the charity stripe
while WSC was 8 of 18 from behind the arc and 11 of 16 at
the free throw line.
Wayne State’s top scorer was freshman guard Jamar Diggs
with 17 points, followed by junior guard Bryce Caldwell with
16 points, 13 in the second half. Dallas Hodges also reached
double figures with 13 points.
UNK was led by senior forward Dusty Jura with a game-high
27 points on 11 of 16 shooting from the field. Senior guard
James Lane added 17 points and Chad Burger finished with a
double-double by recording 14 points and 15 rebounds. Freshman
guard Drake Beranek added 12 points for the Lopers
UNK held a 37-31 rebounding edge over Wayne State thanks to
15 caroms by Burger and five from Jura. WSC’s top rebounders
were Jonathon Thomas and Brian Metz with five each.
Wayne State is now 3-2 on the season and will open Northern
Sun Conference play at home Friday evening against Bemidji
State with tip off set for 8:00 p.m.
WAYNE
STATE HANGS ON FOR 74-71 WIN OVER DAKOTA STATE AT HARDEES
CLASSIC
November 25------Wayne State
built an 11 point halftime lead, then held off a late rally,
to defeat Dakota State of South Dakota 74-71 Saturday afternoon
in the consolation game of the Hardees Men’s Basketball
Classic hosted by Southwest Minnesota State University in
Marshall, Minnesota.
Wayne State never trailed in the game and held a double digit
advantage for much of the contest, but had to withstand a
late Dakota State rally to win the game. The Wildcats opened
with a 13-0 lead in the first five minutes of the contest
thanks to a trio of three point baskets by sophomore guard
David Walters. After WSC built an 18-5 lead with 11:43 left
in the first half, Dakota State made the game interesting
by going on a 13-2 run over the next four minutes to cut the
Wildcat lead to two, 20-18. Then, WSC bounced back and built
the lead back to double digits and took a 38-27 lead at halftime.
The Wildcats maintained a double digit lead for the first
seven minutes of the second half until Dakota State made another
run at WSC. With WSC holding a 50-39 lead at the 13:52 mark,
Dakota State scored the next nine points to make the score
50-47 with 11:48 left in the game. Dakota State cut the lead
to one point five different times, but the Wildcats needed
an offensive rebound and putback from Matt Rathje with :13
seconds remaining to take a 74-71 lead. Dakota State’s
Jordan Hughes missed a three-pointer with one second remaining
to allow WSC to escape with the narrow win.
Bryce Caldwell drained seven three pointers and finished with
a game-high 25 points to lead Wayne State in scoring. David
Walters added a career-high 16 points while freshman Jamar
Diggs finished with 10 for the Wildcats. WSC shot 27 of 58
from the field for 46 percent, including 10 of 23 from the
three point line (43 percent), and 10 of 16 from the free
throw line for 62.5 percent.
Joe Backus led four Dakota State players in double figures
with 15 points and nine rebounds. The Trojans shot 51 percent
from the floor on 24 of 47 and hit on 18 of 27 free throws.
DSU held a slight 32-31 advantage in rebounding over the Wildcats.
The top rebounders for WSC were Matt Rathje and Jonathon Thomas
with nine apiece.
Following the tournament, Bryce Caldwell of Wayne State was
selected to the Hardees Classic/SMSU All-Tournament Team.
He was joined by Joe Backus of Dakota State, Emmanuel Little
and Ervin Youmans of North Dakota and Matt Fletcher and MVP
Travis Krenke of Southwest Minnesota State.
Wayne State is now 3-1 on the season and will host in-state
rival Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday evening starting at 7:00
p.m. at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.
TURNOVERS,
POOR SHOOTING HURT WAYNE STATE IN 71-66 LOSS TO NORTH DAKOTA
AT HARDEES CLASSIC
November 24-------Turnvoers
(21) and poor shooting (41 %) hurt Wayne State in a 71-66
loss men’s college basketball loss to North Dakota Friday
evening at the Hardees Classic hosted by Southwest Minnesota
State in Marshall, Minnesota. The loss dropped WSC to 2-1
on the year while North Dakota moved to 2-3 on the year.
WSC got off to a great start, taking a 9-2 lead in the first
5:30 of the game. However, North Dakota countered with a 13-2
run over the next 4:00 to take a 15-11 lead over the Wildcats.
Both teams then exchanged several leads and ties before Wayne
State took a 29-27 lead at halftime.
Early in the second half with the score tied at 39-39, North
Dakota used a 14-6 spurt to grab an eight-point lead, 53-45,
with 8:37 remaining. But WSC used a pair of three pointers
from Bryce Caldwell and a basket by Jamar Diggs to tie the
score at 53-53 with 7:28 left in the game. Wayne State’s
last lead in the game was at 58-56 with 4:40 left in the game
following a basket by Jonathon Thomas. North Dakota regained
the lead for good thanks to a three pointer by Ervin Youmans
on the next possession to give the Sioux a 59-58 lead. WSC
cut the lead to one on four occasions and trailed by three
with :25 seconds to play, 69-66, with a chance to tie the
game. However, a trio of three point shots (one by Bryce Caldwell
and two by Jamar Diggs) would not go in, and North Dakota
finally secured the rebound and two made free throws by Josh
Doyle with :03 left sealed the win for North Dakota 71-66.
Senior guard Dallas Hodges scored a game-high 23 points, including
13 of 14 at the free throw line, to lead Wayne State in scoring.
Jonathon Thomas and Matt Rathje added 10 points apiece for
Wayne State. WSC shot just 41.2 percent from the field on
21 of 51, including 5 of 16 from the three point line, and
19 of 24 at the free throw line.
The Wildcats out-rebounded North Dakota 33-29 thanks to seven
rebounds by Thomas.
North Dakota was led in scoring by Ervin Youmans and Tyler
Koenig with 13 points each. Koenig also had eight rebounds
for the Sioux, who shot 49 percent from the field on 27 of
55.
Wayne State will face Dakota State of South Dakota Saturday
afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the consolation game of the Hardees
Classic in Marshall, Minnesota.
HODGES COLLECTS
FIRST NEBRASKA DIV. II PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
November 20-----Dallas Hodges
of Wayne State College has been named the first Nebraska NCAA
Division II Men’s Basketball Player of the Week following
his performances in two Wildcat wins last week to open the
season.
Hodges, a 6-3 senior guard from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, averaged
27 points per game in wins over York College (81-70) and an
upset win at #16 South Dakota (90-86). Hodges had 19 points
in the York win and reeled off a career-high 35 points, including
23 in the first half, in Wayne State’s upset win at
South Dakota. In the USD win, Hodges was 11 of 21 from the
field and 10 of 10 from the free throw line. In the two games,
Hodges shot 50 percent from the field (17 of 34) and 94 percent
(16 of 17) from the free throw line.
Wayne State, 2-0 on the season, will face North Dakota and
Dakota State on Friday and Saturday at the Hardees Classic
hosted by Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minnesota.
DALLAS
HODGES POURS IN CAREER-HIGH 35 TO PROPEL WAYNE STATE IN 90-86
UPSET WIN AT 16TH-RANKED SOUTH DAKOTA
November 18-----Wayne State
College built a 16-point lead, then held off a late South
Dakota rally, as the Wildcats posted a 90-86 upset win at
16th-ranked South Dakota in men’s college basketball
Saturday night at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion. Senior guard
Dallas Hodges scored 23 of his career-high 35 points in the
first half to lead the Wildcats in the win.
WSC used stellar shooting from the field and the free throw
line to record a rare non-conference win at the Dakota Dome.
The Wildcats built a 34-20 lead with 8:50 left in the first
half, but the host Coyotes cut the lead to eight at halftime
at 50-42. WSC came out on fire in the second half, building
a 64-48 lead with 14:40 remaining, following a pair of free
throws by freshman guard Jamar Diggs. USD mounted a comeback,
thanks to the play of sophomore Dylan Grimsley, and cut the
Wildcat lead down to four points, 71-67, with 7:30 left in
the game. However, WSC scored the next seven points, including
five straight by sophomore guard David Walters, to put the
lead back up to 11 at 78-67. The Coyotes cut the lead to six
on several occasions, but the Wildcats continued to hit clutch
shots to hold off South Dakota for the win as Grimsley hit
a three pointer at the buzzer to make the final score 90-86.
Hodges made 11 of 21 shots from the field and 10 of 10 free
throws to account for his 35 points. David Walters and Jamar
Diggs added 13 points each with Bryce Caldwell canning four
three-pointers for his 12 points. The Wildcats shot 48 percent
from the field (26 of 54), including 9 of 17 from the three
point line. WSC sealed the win by making an impressive 29
of 31 free throws for 93.5 percent.
For South Dakota, now 2-2, Dylan Grimsley poured in 28 points
to go with a team-high nine rebounds. Jesse Becker added 15
points for the Coyotes, who shot 44 percent from the floor
on 30 of 68. USD was just 8 of 27 from the three point line
and was 18 of 26 at the charity stripe.
South Dakota held a slight 40-36 advantage in rebounding over
Wayne State. Freshman Brian Metz was the top rebounder for
Wayne State with seven. WSC had 12 turnovers while the Coyotes
finished with 10.
Wayne State, 2-0 on the season, will face North Dakota on
Friday, November 24 at the Hardees Southwest Minnesota State
Thanksgiving Classic with tip off in Marshall, Minnesota set
for 6:00 p.m. Friday evening.
WILDCATS OPEN SEASON
WITH 81-70 WIN OVER YORK COLLEGE
November 15-------Wayne State
College opened the 2006-07 men’s basketball season Wednesday
evening with a 81-70 win over York College at Rice Auditorium
in Wayne. The Wildcats move to 1-0 on the season while York
College is now 1-6 overall.
Wayne State never trailed in the game, opening with an 11-1
lead in the first 3:30 thanks to a trio of three pointers
by junior guard Bryce Caldwell. York cut the lead to two on
a pair of occasions, 13-11 at the 12:48 mark and 21-19 with
6:57 left in the first half, but Wayne State closed the half
strong and led 40-27 at intermission.
The Wildcats built an 18 point lead on several occasions in
the second half, but York would not go away and cut the WSC
lead to seven points, 75-68, with :48 seconds left on a three
pointer by Rasheem Richards. WSC used two free throws by Bryce
Caldwell and a basket and two free throws from Jonathon Thomas
to keep the Panthers from getting any closer as Wayne State
posted the 81-70 win.
Caldwell and Dallas Hodges led Wayne State in scoring with
19 points apiece. Freshman guard Jamar Diggs, in his first
collegiate game, scored 15 points, while sophomore forward
Jonathon Thomas accounted for 12 points and a career-high
17 rebounds for the Wildcats. WSC shot 47.5 percent from the
field on 28 of 59 and was 6 of 18 from the three point line
for 33.3 percent.
For York College, senior forward Andrew Ford led all scorers
with 26 points. Malcohm Henry added 18 points. The Panthers
shot 43 percent from the floor on 28 of 65 and hit just 4
of 21 from the three point line for 19 percent.
WSC held a 44-33 rebounding advantage over York College thanks
to Thomas’ 17 rebounds.
Wayne State will travel to 16th-ranked South Dakota Saturday
evening at 7 p.m.
WAYNE STATE
MEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM ANNOUNCES THREE RECRUITS
November 9----Wayne State College
head men’s basketball coach Rico Burkett has announced
the signings of three recruits who will attend Wayne State
College and play for the Wildcats next season. The players
include Nate Trueblood of Dixon, Illinois; Marcus Messersmith
of Winside, Nebraska and Elijah Miller of Holstein, Iowa.
The three players have signed with Wayne State during the
NCAA’s early signing period and will play basketball
for Wayne State in the 2007-08 season.
“We are very excited about Nate, Marcus and Elijah joining
our program,” said Coach Burkett. “As a staff
we went out this summer to address a couple of needs and we
feel like we accomplished our goals with this incoming class.
They are quality individuals both on and off the floor and
will be great additions to the Wildcat basketball program.”
Nate Trueblood, a 6-5 200 pound guard from Dixon High
School in Illinois, averaged 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds,
3.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game during his junior season
to earn First Team All-Area and First Team All-Conference
honors. The High School Coaches Poll also voted him as an
All-State Special Mention in the 2005-06 season. Nate also
participated in the IHSA State Finals Class AA Slam Dunk Competition
where he finished in third place. Trueblood also does well
in the classroom and has accumulated a 3.3 grade point average.
“Nate is a very long and athletic and has a chance to
become a special player,” commented Burkett. “He
is skilled on both ends of the floor and has a lot of versatility
to his game. Nate can shoot the ball with range, create his
own shot off the dribble, play with his back to the basket
and finish in transition. Nate is physically ready to contribute
right away.”
Marcus Messersmith, a 6-7½ 175 pound guard/forward
from Winside High School in Nebraska, averaged 25.4
points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this past season,
helping his school to an 11-9 record. He also shot 91% from
the free throw line to earn First Team All-State Huskerland
Prep and First Team All-Conference honors. Marcus also earned
All-State honorable mention recognition from the Lincoln Journal
Star and Omaha World Herald. Messersmith also excelled in
track and field as he was a two-time state qualifier in triple
jump. In the classroom he has maintained a 3.8 grade point
average earning him Academic All-State honors.
“We wanted to come out of this class with a guy who
could really stretch the defense from the perimeter and Marcus
is very capable of doing that,” stated Burkett. “He
can really shoot the basketball and is also a deceptive athlete
who can get out and run the floor and finish in transition.
Marcus will need to get stronger, but he has the physical
tools to become a very solid performer.”
Elijah Miller, a 6-2 190 pound guard from Galva-Holstein
High School in Iowa, averaged 15 points, six rebounds,
four assists and three steals per game this past season, leading
his school to a 16-5 record. He has earned All-Conference
honorable mention recognition during the 2003-04 season and
First Team All-District and First Team All-Conference honors
last season. Elijah also excels in the classroom with a 3.8
grade point average.
“Elijah is a tough competitor and can put pressure on
the opposing team with his ability to attack the basket or
hit an open perimeter jump shot,” remarked Coach Burkett.
“He also has the ability to be a disruptive force on
the defensive end which will allow him to have an immediate
impact right away.”
IOWA STATE TOPS
WAYNE STATE 55-41 IN EXHIBTION GAME
November 6------Iowa State
pulled away in the second half for a 55-41 men’s college
basketball exhibition win over Wayne State College at Hilton
Coliseum in Ames, Iowa Monday evening. The Cyclones, coached
by former WSC head coach and recent Athletic Hall of Fame
inductee Greg McDermott, held a 21-16 lead over Wayne State
at halftime. With the score 30-26 with 14:26 remaining in
the game, Iowa State held WSC to just seven points over the
next 10 minutes to build a 46-33 lead with 4:33 left and Wayne
State never got closer than 10 points the rest of the game.
Rahshon Clark led Iowa State in scoring with 12 points, followed
by Jiri Hubalek with 10. The Cyclones shot just 32.1 percent
from the field on 18 of 56 and out-rebounded Wayne State 43-34.
For Wayne State, junior guard Bryce Caldwell scored a game-high
13 points while senior guard Dallas Hodges accounted for 11
points. WSC shot just 27.3 percent from the field on 12 of
44, including 7 of 21 from the three point line for 33 perc |
