The Wayne State Women’s Basketball team opened the season by hosting the MIAA/NSIC Crossover Tournament this past weekend at Rice Auditorium. The Wildcats won both of their games in the tournament against non-conference opponents Northwest Missouri State and The University of Nebraska- Kearney, going 2-0 to start off the 2018-2019 season.

Wayne State played the first home game of the year against Northwest Missouri State Friday night winning 75-58. The win gave head coach Brent Pollari his first win as the new head coach, making it a successful weekend. Wayne State had four players score in double digits, led by sophomore Erin Norling’s career-high 21 points.

“The bench was huge for us, especially in Friday’s game,” Pollari said. “The energy and excitement was brought all night and you could tell when watching the film.”

The Wildcats took their second win of the weekend against state rival Nebraska-Kearney, thanks to a dominant second half performance. WSC outscored Nebraska-Kearney 41-25 in the second half, holding the Lopers to just eight of 28 shooting.

“Team effort all the way around, we elevated our level of play from practice,” Pollari said. “We had people rebounding that I haven’t seen before and the defense was amazing all weekend.”

Wayne State College had a busy offseason due to the new coaching change and had to learn an entirely new system. Pollari talked about how important film has been for the program. With extensive film sessions, progress has already been made on and off the court.

“We watch a lot of film of ourselves and other teams in order to prepare as best we can for our opponents,” Pollari said. “As a coach, once the game is over it is onto the next and time to get ready.”

Wayne State will play next weekend at the Subway Classic in Quincy, Illinois. The ‘Cats will play against Truman State Friday at 5 p.m. and face tournament host, Quincy University Saturday at 3 p.m.

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Women’s basketball schedule

11/16/2018 Truman State – Subway Tip-Off Classic Quincy, Ill. 5 p.m.
11/17/2018 Quincy University – Subway Tip-Off Classic Quincy, Ill. 3 p.m.
11/24/2018 Peru State Wayne, Neb. 4 p.m.
12/1/2018 * Augustana Sioux Falls, S.D. 3:30 p.m.
12/7/2018 * Upper Iowa Fayette, Iowa 5:30 p.m.
12/8/2018 * Winona State Winona, Minn. 3:30 p.m.
12/15/2018 * Bemidji State Wayne, Neb. 2:30 p.m.
12/16/2018 * Minnesota Crookston Wayne, Neb. 12:30 p.m.
12/19/2018 Midland University Wayne, Neb. 5:30 p.m.
12/30/2018 * Augustana Wayne, Neb. 1:30 p.m.
1/4/2019 * Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, S.D. 5:30 p.m.
1/5/2019 * Southwest Minnesota State Marshall, Minn. 4:00 p.m.
1/11/2019 * Winona State Wayne, Neb. 5:30 p.m.
1/12/2019 * Upper Iowa Wayne, Neb. 3:30 p.m.
1/18/2019 * MSU Moorhead Moorhead, Minn. 5:30 p.m.
1/19/2019 * Northern State Aberdeen, S.D. 3:30 p.m.
1/26/2019 * Minnesota State Wayne, Neb. 3:30 p.m.
1/27/2019 * Concordia – St. Paul Wayne, Neb. 1:30 p.m.
2/1/2019 * University of Mary Bismarck, N.D. 5:30 p.m.
2/2/2019 * Minot State Minot, N.D. 3:30 p.m.
2/8/2019 * St. Cloud State Wayne, Neb. 5:30 p.m.
2/9/2019 * Minnesota Duluth Wayne, Neb. 3:30 p.m.
2/15/2019 * Concordia – St. Paul St. Paul, Minn. 5:30 p.m.
2/16/2019 * Minnesota State Mankato, Minn. 3:30 p.m.
2/22/2019 * Southwest Minnesota State Wayne, Neb. 5:30 p.m.
2/23/2019 * Sioux Falls Wayne, Neb. 3:30 p.m.