DETROIT – The Wayne State University women's basketball team (1-3 overall) notched its first win of the campaign with a 71-53 triumph over Keiser University (5-3 overall) Wednesday afternoon at the Matthaei.

HOW IT HAPPENED

WSU scored the first four points of the game on back-to-back buckets by senior Christina Green (Southfield, Mich. / Lathrup), but the visiting Seahawks rattled off the next eight points to grab an 8-4 advantage.

A lay-up by freshman Nastassja Chambers (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Arbor Prep) knotted the game at eight, before KU's Princess Cole scored on a jumper from the paint.  Freshman Alex Matus (Millbury, Ohio / Toledo Central Catholic) answered with a triple to ignite a 13-point run by the Warriors, which included another three-pointer by Matus and triple by sophomore India Hawkins (Detroit, Mich. / Edison Public School Academy) to give WSU a 21-10 lead after 10 minutes.

Kesier pulled within seven at 24-17 on three-pointer by Kaylee Patton, but Wayne State answered with a 10-2 spurt which included two triples by sophomore Paige Villemure (Flat Rock, Mich.).  A late lay-up by Chambers put the Warriors ahead 40-26 at intermission.

WSU began the second half by scoring 12 of the first 17 points to open a 21-point advantage at 52-31 just past the mid-point of the third quarter.

Wayne State's margin was never fewer than 18 until less than five minutes remained in the contest.  WSU made just one field goal in the final 6:50, but the Seahawks managed just 10 points the rest of the way.

TEAM STATS

Wayne State shot 40 percent (25-of-62) from the field, compared to 32 percent for KU (18-of-56).  WSU made 70 percent (14-of-20) of its foul shots, while the Seahawks made 63 percent (12-of-19) from the charity stripe.  The Warriors connected on 33 percent (7-of-21) of its three-point attempts with Keiser shooting 26 percent (5-of-19) from long range.

WSU LEADERS

Chambers led five Warriors in double figures with 12 points, while Alex Matus contributed 11 points and tied for team-high rebounding honors with five.

Green, Hawkins and Villemure each chipped in 10 points with Daejia Hill (Muskegon, Mich. / Orchard View) garnering five assists.

KEISER LEADERS

Kaylee Patton and Midori Long each had 12 points for the Seahawks, while Dominique Winbush grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will host Michigan-Dearborn in a 3 p.m. contest at the Matthaei on Sunday.