Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier.

Alabama vs. Auburn.

Wayne State vs. Northern State.

It has been a hotly contested battle the past few seasons, and last Saturday was no different.

Wayne State took on 16th-ranked Northern State in a battle for first place in the NSIC.

The Wildcats won in dramatic fashion, 58-57 over the Wolves, using a Jordan Spencer layup with 12 seconds left to win their 12th straight game and improve to 21-3 overall and 15-3 in conference play.

The first half went as one would expect it to between two heavy weight teams with the lead going back and forth with four ties and ten lead changes.

Eventually, Wayne State went into the half with a 32-30 lead.

The Wildcats started the second half with a bang, eventually grabbing a 13-point lead at 50-37 with 13:20 left to play.

But then the Wildcats’ offense went ice cold and allowed Northern State back into the game. The Wolves clawed their way back, eventually taking a 57-56 lead with 1:17 left to play.

Coach Chris Kielsmeier, in an interview with KTCH Sports Director Aaron Scheffler, said “We hit one basket in thirteen minutes. We got to execute better offensively. We had some open shots but you got to hit the shot and make the play and we just didn’t do that.”

With each team missing shots on their consecutive possessions, Wayne State had the ball with 24 seconds left, and Kielsmeier drew up a game-winning play that even Pete Carroll would feel compelled to call.

Spencer caught the pass at the free throw line and drove to the basket, finishing with a right handed lay-up to give the Wildcats the exciting 58-57 victory.

“This team just continues to find different ways to win,” Kielsmeier said. “It’s really incredible how we find ways to get it done.”

Leading the way for the second consecutive game for the ‘Cats was Spencer with 13 points, who also grabbed 4 rebounds and had 3 steals. Maggie Schulte finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds, and Sadie Murren had 9 points with 4 assists.

Wayne State shot 35 percent from the field in the game, but only 27 percent in the second half. Northern State shot 40 percent from the field, going 25-62. Wayne State was effective in getting to the free throw line, going 20-26 from the charity stripe while Northern State only went 5-7 from the line.

The Wildcats rode a Spencer double-double to an 81-60 victory over MSU Moorhead Friday night in Rice Auditorium.

The Wildcats now have won 20 games in a season for the 11th time in school history and for the fifth time in the last seven years.

The Wildcats shot 55 percent from the field, going 8-17 from beyond the arc, while holding the Dragons to 39 percent shooting and 3-12 from beyond three-point range.

The Wildcats led by only five at halftime, but used a strong second half to bury the Dragons.

Kielsmeier said that his team “just didn’t have the best couple days of practice, and it really showed that in the first half. But how we closed this game out was some of the best we played all year.”

Leading the way for the Wildcats was Jordan Spencer, who poured in 18 points and collected 10 rebounds. Millie Niggeling finished with 15 points of her own, Ashton Yossi had 12 points and 5 steals and Paige Ballinger also scored in double digits with 10 points.

Kielsmeier will focus on getting his team some needed rest, but will need much more mental focus this week at practice.

“We need to prepare really hard this entire week,” Kielsmeier said. “Let’s get back to preparing and giving every opportunity to be at our best come Friday night at 6 p.m., and that’s what the focus will be for the entire week.”

The Wildcats will play their final two home games of the regular season this weekend. Wayne State takes on the University of Sioux Falls at 6 p.m. Friday night, and then Southwest Minnesota State Saturday at 4 p.m. Saturdays’ game will also be senior night for the Wildcats.

Wayne State 81, MSU Moorhead 60
Wayne State……………… 33 48-81
MSU Moorhead…………. 28 32-60
WSC: Spencer 18, Niggeling 15, Yossi 12, Ballinger 10, Murren 9, Schulte 7, Moore 6, Nelson 2, Hoskins 2.
MSU: Sannes 16, Roerich 15, Handevidt 13, Strese 5, Banasik 3, VanWyhe 3, Doucette 3, Thorson 2.

Wayne State 58, Northern State 57
Wayne State…………………..32 26-58
Winona………………………30 27-57
WSC: Spencer 13, Schulte 12, Murren 9, Niggeling 8, Ballinger 8, Hoskins 5, O’Connor 2, Yossi 1.
NSU: Krogman 18, Stotesbery 15, Mutchler 8, Brecke 7, Deadrick 4, Hofschild 3, Waytashek 2.