WAYNE, Neb. – The Winona State University women's basketball team settled for a season split with Wayne State College Friday evening after the Warriors failed to capitalize on their final possession of the contest that saw the Wildcats hold on for a 59-58 victory. Neither side led by more than two possessions for the duration of the tilt, but the home team was able to hold the Warriors to just nine points in the final quarter for the win.
Wayne State's Erin Norling produced the game-winning shot with 21 seconds remaining in a back-and-forth fourth quarter that saw the teams traded the lead three times in the final frame. Following the basket, a misfire by Gabie Doud ended up in the hands of Rachel Novotny for an offensive rebound. The senior had two attempts to put WSU back on top in the waning seconds after another offensive board, but came up short twice as the final buzzer sounded.
The NSIC South battle featured seven lead changes throughout the night as Winona State took an early 9-4 lead in the first period on a jumper by Doud. A bucket by Kayla Schaefer in the second frame sparked a six-point Warrior run to mark WSU's largest lead of the contest a 21-15 with 7:23 remaining before halftime. Schaefer finished the first half with 14 points on 6-10 shooting, including a 2-3 effort from downtown.
The pesky Wildcats chipped away at their deficit in the second quarter to knot the score at 26-apiece in front of a three-pointer by Emily Kieck late in the frame. Wayne State went on to score the final four points of the first half to send the Wildcats into the locker room with a 30-29 edge on a layup by Norling who proved to be the hero in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats carried that momentum into the early stages of the second half; forcing Winona State to play catch up. Allie Pickrain provided a spark for the Warriors, draining a three-pointer to tie the game for the fifth time at 34-34 at the 8:18 mark of the third quarter. WSU never trailed for the remainder of the period and went into the final frame with a 49-43 advantage. Novotny scored six of the Warriors' final eight points of the period.
Winona State would miss its first seven field goal attempts in the fourth quarter as Wayne State eventually regained a 52-49 lead. A pair of free throws by Doud stood as the Warriors' first points midway through the frame. Novotny and Doud each recorded baskets in the paints in the final three minutes of play to give WSU a 58-55 lead at the 2:12 mark before Wayne State went on a four-point run to the finish line.
Schaefer collected her eighth double-digit scoring game of the season dropping 18 points, while Novotny notched her second double-double of the year with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Doud chipped in 10 points as well and Pickrain registered five assists in the setback.
Winona State falls to 7-6 (5-4 NSIC) with the loss as Wayne State improves to 10-5 (5-4 NSIC).
The Warriors wrap up their weekend road trip with a tough matchup at (RV) Augustana University on Saturday afternoon with a 3:30 p.m. tipoff.
