BOX SCORE

WAYNE, Neb. – The No. 9-ranked and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference leading Wayne State scored the game's first 17 points and never looked back in earning a 69-47 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Friday night in Wayne, Neb.

WSC, ranked No. 3 in this week's NCAA Central Region rankings, has now won 23 straight home games and improves to 18-2 overall, 15-1 NSIC. WSC's last home loss was on Feb. 25, 2009, versus SMSU.

Mara Hjelle led Wayne State with 20 points and six rebounds.

SMSU, which falls to 7-13 overall, 6-10 NSIC, was led by Tori Fink who finished with nine points. Abby Kenealy and Heather Smith each scored seven points for the Mustangs. It was the first time this season SMSU failed to have a player score in double figures.

SMSU shot just 29 percent (18 of 62) from the field, tying for its second lowest shooting performance of the season.

WSC scored the game's first 17 points as SMSU missed its first nine field goal attempts and had six turnovers. Jessie Watts finally snapped the scoreless streak for SMSU with a field goal with 12 minutes and 19 seconds left in the opening half.

The Mustangs played much better in the final 12 minutes of the half and slowly cut into the lead.

Amber Peterson connected on a 3-point field goal to trim the lead to 24-11 at the 7:35 mark, before WSC rallied with an 8-3 run to push the lead to 32-14.

SMSU answered back and closed the half on an 8-2 run in the final 2:30 to cut the deficit to 34-22 at halftime.

The Mustangs shot just 28 percent (9 of 32) in the first half, including 1 for 6 from 3-point range and finished with eight turnovers. The Wildcats shot 44 percent (11 of 25) in the half and held a 23-17 rebound advantage.

Just like it did in the opening half, WSC started the second half strong scoring the first 10 points to quickly take a 44-22 lead with 17 minutes left in the game and never looked back.

Southwest Minnesota State will close out the weekend road trip tomorrow afternoon taking on Augustana College with tip-off set for 4 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Vikings are ranked No. 7 in this week's NCAA Central Region rankings. SMSU defeated Augustana 63-56 earlier this season in Marshall.