Senior Mara Hjelle grabs a career high 19 rebounds in 79-60 Win Over Minnesota, Crookston

Wayne, Neb.---  #10 Wayne State College women’s basketball team overcame a slow start Saturday night in Crookston, Minnesota as the Wildcats picked up a 79-60 win in NSIC women’s basketball action. Senior Mara Hjelle (White Bear Lake, Minnesota) recorded her third double-double of the year with 15 points and a career high 19 rebounds with nine rebounds coming off of the offensive glass. The win makes the Wildcats 9-1 overall and 6-0 in the NSIC and the loss drops the Golden Eagles to 4-5 and 1-4 in the NSIC.
          
The Wildcats got off to a slow start in the first half against the Golden Eagles as neither team held a lead over four points as Minnesota, Crookston outshot Wayne State in the first half shooting 44 percent from the field in the half (11-25). The Wildcats found themselves down 21-20 halfway through the first half, but Wayne State went on a 16-0 run from the 9:59 mark of the first stanza to the 4:46 mark of the first half. The Wildcats run was capped by a pair of three pointers by junior Clare Duwelius. The Wildcats ended the first half on a 23-5 run to take a 43-25 lead into the break.
          
The Wildcats continued their roll in the early goings of the second half as WSC went on a 12-0 run in the opening four minutes of the half to take a 55-25 lead. The Wildcats run marked the second scoring drought for the Golden Eagles that lasted over five minutes. The Golden Eagles went on a run of their own halfway through the second half scoring 18 straight points to cut the Wildcats lead to the Wildcats lead to 12 at 55-43.
          
Ashley Arlen ended the Golden Eagles run with a pair of free throws to give WSC a 57-43 lead. Minnesota, Crookston would not go away cutting the Cats’ lead to 11 points (57-46) off of a Bri Zabel three pointer. Renee Wood would score the first bucket for Wayne State since the 16:06 mark of the half as the three pointer gave WSC a 60-46 lead. the Wildcats went on a mini 6-0 run to extend their lead to 66-49 with 7:33 remaining in the second half.
          
Wayne State held the Golden eagles scoreless from the 8:56 mark of the second half to the 4:00 mark of the second stanza. The Wildcats increased their lead to 23 points in that stretch. The Golden Eagles would cut into the Wildcat’s lead in the final minutes, but it proved to be too much as Wayne State walked away with a 79-60 win.  
          
Wayne State shot 45.3 percent (25-53) from the field. The Wildcats shot 78.1 percent (25-32) from the free throw line and 30.0 percent (6-20) from the three point line. Wayne State dominated the boards on the night with 39 rebounds compared to 27 for the Golden Eagles.
          
Minnesota, Crookston shot 43.1 percent (25-58) from the field and 55.6 percent (5-9) from the three point line. UMC shot 83.3 percent (5-6) from the free throw line. Minnesota, Crookston committed 22 turnovers compared to Wayne State’s 18.
          
Wayne State was led by Hjelle with a career high 19 rebounds and 15 points to record her third double-double of the season. Junior Ashley Arlen poured in 14 points going 9 of 12 from the free throw line. Junior Alisha Brown added a season high 13 points going 5 for 5 from the field.
          
Minnesota, Crookston was led by Megan Eul with 13 points. Tori Joransen added 12 points going 6 of 9 from the field. Bri Zabel added 10 points for UMC to round out Golden Eagles in double figures.
          
Wayne State is off until Saturday, January 1st when the Wildcats host Concordia-St. Paul in a Northern Sun Conference contest at Rice Auditorium starting at 4:00 p.m.