Despite the efforts of six ‘Cats players in double figures, Upper Iowa squeaked out a 95-89 win in an action-packed overtime game against the Wildcats on Friday in Fayette, Iowa.

 
This loss drops WSC to 4-14 overall and 2-11 in NSIC conference play. Upper Iowa improves to 11-11 and 7-6 respectively.

 
Jordan Corneluis tied a season-high in scoring with 23 points, while Adam Moon, Vance Janssen and Austin Esters each added 12 points apiece. Matt Thomas and David Anderson both chipped in 10 points.

 
The Wildcats offense was anemic to begin the contest as the Peacocks held a 10-2 advantage only three minutes into the game. WSC started to heat up though as they trimmed the lead down to 22-20 with 12:25 left before half time. Upper Iowa would go on to carry a slight lead of 44-41 at the half.

 
JJ Zumbrenen would give the ‘Cats their first lead (61-60) with 11:18 remaining on the game clock. The Peacocks countered by taking a five-point lead (75-70) with just over two minutes left in the game.

 
With time running out, Thomas nailed a jumper with only three ticks left on the game clock to send the game into OT.

 
Upper Iowa quickly jumped out to an 85-80 advantage in extra time. Wayne State came within one point (85-84), but could not overtake the Peacocks when the final buzzer sounded.

 
Janell Hughes led all Peacocks scorers with 25 points, Josh Weeber had 18 and Luke Lenhart followed with 14.

 
The Peacocks won the battle of rebounds over the ‘Cats 44-38. Brian Goodwin achieved a game-high 10 boards for WSC.

 
A near ten-minute scoring drought and a season-low shooting percentage dampened the Wildcats chances against Winona State on Saturday evening.

 
The Warriors dropped WSC 84-63 at McCown Gymnasium in Winona, Minn. With the defeat, Wayne State is now 4-15 and 2-12 in the NSIC.

 
The game was tied 6-6 in the opening minutes, but Winona State turned red-hot, scoring 20 straight points in the first half. This streak gave the host Warriors a 26-6 lead.

 
Despite being down by 16 points with under 5 minutes left in the first half, WSC stormed back. The Wildcats stripped the Warriors lead down to 39-32 at halftime.

 
Winona State would not let the surging ‘Cats continue their momentum, as a Winona scoring run of 17-4 let them take back control of the game. With only 13 minutes left to play and WSC down 58-38, the ‘Cats tried for a final push to win.

 
Luck was not with the Wildcats, however, as they only came within 12 points (62-50) of the Warriors the rest of the contest.

 
Leading scorers for WSC were Sophmore guards Matt Thomas and Austin Esters. Thomas had 14 points and Esters, 10. The Warriors leading scorer was Mark Blacklock with 18.

 
Wayne State made just 19 of 58 shots, which is a season-low 33 percent. From the 3-point line, WSC went 5 for 16, but was near-perfect from the charity stripe going 20 for 22.

 
Winona State out rebounded the ‘Cats 41-27 and also had a 10-0 advantage on fast break points for the game. With their victory, the Warriors are now 8-10 overall and 7-7 in NSIC conference play.

 
Last night brought bad luck for the Wildcats as the UNK Lopers sank 14 of 26 3-point shots to win over WSC 86-69 in the contest.

 
The game was close early as the two teams traded five lead changes and six ties. However, UNK used a late run to end the first half to take control of the game for a 44-33 halftime lead.

 
WSC was still within six at 48-42 with 15:15 left in the second half, following a pair of Vance Janssen free throws. UNK then put the game out of reach with a 20-6 run over the next 4:25 to take a 68-48 lead.

 
WSC will play at home this weekent (Jan. 30-31) against Minot State and the University of Mary in Rice Auditorium.

Wayne State……..41 35 13—89
Upper Iowa….…..44 32 19—95

WSC: Moon 4-13 4-4 12, Janssen 4-11 2-3 12, Thomas 2-14 5-6 10, Goodwin 2-7 0-0 4, Corneluis 6-9 7-8 23, Nagy 0-0 0-0 0, Burneika 0-2 0-0 0, Esters 4-5 3-6 12, Zumbrennen 2-3 0-0 6, Andersen 4-4 2-4 10. Totals 28-68 23-31 89.
Rebounds: WSC 38 (Goodwin 10)

Wayne State……32 31 –63
Winona State…..39 45 –84
WSC: Moon 2-7 4-4 8, Janssen 2-7 2-2 8, Thomas 4-16 4-5 14, Goodwin 1-4 0-0 2, Corneluis 3-7 0-0 7, Nagy 0-1 0-0 0, Burneika 0-2 0-0 0, Esters 4-10, 2-2 10, Zumbrennen 1-1 6-6 8, Andersen 2-3 2-3 6. Totals 19-58 20-22 63.
Rebounds: WSC 27 (Moon 6)

Wayne State…..33 36 69
UNK…………….44 42 86

WSC: Beranek 5-9 0-0 8-9 1-9, Danielson 4-8 3-6 0-0 0-1, Lansman 2-8 1-2 2-2 3-6, Rohrich 3-8 1-3 0-0 1-1, Brozek 1-4 0-0 4-4 1-5, Sweet 6-9 6-8 0-1 0-1, Burns 5-7 3-5 0-0 0-3, Dineen 2-4 0-0 0-0 0-1, Barry 0-2 0-1 2-2 0-0 Almond 0-1 0-1 0-0 0-1