DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's basketball team (4-4 Overall, 4-4 GLIAC) played the first of a two-game weekend series on Saturday afternoon against Grand Valley State University (7-1 Overall, 7-1 GLIAC) losing 66-57.  It was WSU's second game in five days against a perennial GLIAC power in which the under-manned Warriors had a fourth quarter lead.  Wayne State was playing its second consecutive game without injured starters Grace George and Kate Sherwood.

FIRST HALF RECAP
The Warriors scored first on a three pointer from Becca Fugate (Holly, Mich) with an assist from Alexis Miller (Howell, Mich.).

After falling behind 5-3, WSU scored the next eight points to lead 11-5 against GVSU.
 
The Warriors led 18-13 after 10 minutes as Sam Cherney (Farmington Hills, Mich/ North Farmington) had a game-best eight points in the first quarter.

In the second period, WSU extended its lead to 20-16 on a Cherney bucket off an assist from Miller. 

Grand Valley attempted to keep up with Wayne State in the second quarter but could only get within one (20-19). 

The Warriors were in the lead, 37-27, at the half.  Both Fugate and Cherney had 12 points at intermission.

SECOND HALF RECAP
The Lakers scored the first seven points of the third period, before a lay-up from Cherney extended the Warriors lead to 39-34.

GVSU found a groove and started to catch up to Wayne State pulling within two (43-41) at the end of the third quarter.  Grand Valley State had a 14-6 scoring edge in the third period.

The Lakers tied the game (43-43) at the 9:30 mark for the first time since the 7:46 mark of the first period.

The early part of the fourth quarter was close with five lead changes in the first 3:30.

WSU's last lead (49-48) came with 7:40 remaining, and the Warriors were within two points on four occasions but could never knot the score.

GVSU would make 9-of-10 free throws in the final minute to defeat the Warriors 66-57.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Fugate led with a game-high 20 points.  Cherney chipped in with 18 points and game-high totals of 16 rebounds and five blocks.  Miller had a game-best six assists and seven steals, along with six rebounds.  Senior Tori Perez (Belleville, Mich.) chipped in with 10 rebounds.

LEADING THE LAKERS
Emily Spitzley had a team-high 17 points, four assists, and two blocks.  Hannah Kulas helped with 16 points, six rebounds and four steals.

TEAM STATS
Wayne State shot 38% (23-of-61) from the floor and had made 80% (8-of-10) of its free throws. Grand Valley went 34% (22-of-64) from the field and 67% (14-21) on free throws. The Warriors led in rebounds 42-39, but the Lakers held a 22-14 advantage in points off turnovers as WSU had 23 turnovers to 16 miscues by GVSU.

UP NEXT
The Warriors will conclude their series against the Lakers at 2 p.m. on Sunday.