Ashland, Ohio – The Wayne State University women's basketball squad (6-3 overall, 1-2 GLIAC) battled top-ranked Ashland University (9-0 overall, 3-0 GLIAC) Thursday evening and led 16-15 just past the mid-point of the opening quarter, but the host Eagles showed why they have now won 46 straight contests, by outscoring the Warriors 49-23 over the final 13:45 of the first half.  AU prevailed 120-70 at Kates Gymnasium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Four of WSU's first six buckets were from beyond the arc, including three by senior guard Shannon Wilson (West Bloomfield, Mich. / Bloomfield Hills), and the other triple by senior forward Payton Birchmeier (Corunna, Mich.).

The Warriors largest lead of the opening half was five points (6-1) before the Ashland scoring barrage that had the hosts shot 61 percent (22-of-36) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.  WSU shot 47 percent (14-of-30) before halftime, including 8-of-14 from three-point range.

Wayne State had two starters – Wilson and junior guard India Hawkins (Detroit, Mich. / Edison Public School Academy) - that could only play 10 minutes in the first half because of receiving three fouls.  The Eagles were 10-of-13 from the charity stripe in the first half, compared to 3-of-4 for WSU, which did not attempt a foul shot in the second period.

In the first quarter, Wayne State led for 4:39 and Ashland for 3:27.

TEAM STATS

Wayne State shot 41 percent (26-of-63) from the floor, compared to 57 percent (42-of-74) for AU.  WSU was 11-of-27 from beyond the arc (41 percent), while the Eagles were 11-of-22 (50 percent).  The Warriors were 7-of-11 from the foul line (64 percent), with Ashland shooting 81 percent (25-of-31) from the charity stripe.  Ashland had a 50-26 edge in rebounding, including 21 offensive boards.  The Warriors had 27 turnovers leading to 39 points off turnovers for the Eagles.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Four players scored in double figures led by junior Jessica Murphy's (Oxford, Mich.) 13.  Wilson totaled 12 points, while Birchmeier and sophomore Nastassja Chambers (Ypsilanti, Mich. / Arbor Prep) each tallied 11 points.  Junior Ja'Nae Williams (Detroit, Mich. / Martin Luther King) had a team-best six rebounds.

LEADING THE EAGLES

Laina Snyder totaled a game-high 25 points, while Andi Daugherty, Jodi Johnson and Brooke Smith each contributed 18 points.  Sara Loomis grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will entertain Tiffin at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Matthaei.