Boxscore

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's basketball team (17-5, 15-3 GLIAC) earned its eighth consecutive victory on Saturday, beating Northern Michigan University, 87-70. The win streak is the longest for the program since the 2002-03 squad won 10 straight from Jan. 11 to Feb. 3, 2003. With its 17th victory, the Warriors also earned the most victories in a season since the 2002-03 squad that went 17-12.

WSU is in first place by a game and a half over Michigan Tech University (14-5 GLIAC) in the GLIAC North Division.

Senior Phaebre Colbert (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Northern) scored a career-high 27 points off the bench to lead the Warriors. She added a game-high 12 rebounds. Senior Talisha Bridges (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Loy Norrix) added 16 points and seven boards, while senior Juanita Cochran (Saginaw, Mich. / Arthur Hill) recorded her second straight double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

WSU never trailed in the contest. Wayne State began the game on a 6-0 run, as senior Deanna Crumpton (Kentwood, Mich. / East Kentwood), Talisha Bridges and Cochran all converted on shots. Northern Michigan would pull to within one point at several junctures in the first half (20-19, 22-21 and 35-34), but would never tie or take the lead.

Wayne State held a 39-34 halftime advantage. Colbert had 14 points at the break. The Warriors shot 36.1 percent (13-for-36) in the first half and sank 8-of-10 free throw shots.

The Warriors scored eight of the first 10 points in the first 2:09 of the second half to hold a 47-36 edge.

The Wildcats (11-12, 8-11 GLIAC) would go on an 8-0 run, however, to pull to within three points, 47-44, as NMU's Anna Liewen hit a three-pointer and two free throws and Alyssa Colla converted on an old-fashioned three-point play during the stretch.

The contest stayed within a 10-point margin for much of the second half. The Warriors finished the game strong, however, scoring 17 of the final 23 points.

WSU also established a new season-high point total when junior Chloe Srebernak (Grosse Pointe, Mich. / South) connected on a three-pointer with 55 seconds left.

Junior Imari Redfield (Detroit, Mich. / Country Day) posted eight points, including two three-pointers. Crumpton and freshman Brittany Streetman (Warren, Mich. / Lincoln) each had seven points for WSU.

Colla led three Wildcats in double figures with 16 points. Lauren Gruber and Liewen added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Wayne State finished 30-of-39 from the free throw line (76.9 percent) and converted on 5-of-10 three-pointers for the game. The Warriors also hauled down 50 or more rebounds (51) for the fourth straight game. WSU also had advantages in second chance points (28-8) and bench points (45-16).