Eastern Wayne Today

Wayne State University's women's basketball team faced a setback against Ferris State University, ending their two-game road trip with an 82-65 loss. This game left Wayne State with a 7-5 overall record and a 2-2 standing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), while Ferris State improved to 10-3 overall and maintained a perfect 4-0 in the GLIAC.

The match began with Ferris State taking an early lead. Mya Hiram's jumper and Kenzie Bowers' three-pointer gave them a 5-0 advantage. Wayne State responded through Taylor Thompson's long-range shot, but Ferris quickly regained control, ending the first quarter ahead at 21-14.

Both teams struggled to score at the start of the second quarter until Kadyn Blanchard scored from the free throw line for Ferris. As both teams traded baskets, Emma Schierbeek’s three-pointer helped extend Ferris’ lead to fifteen points before halftime. Wayne's Gabi Lutchka managed crucial shots that narrowed this gap to ten by halftime.

In the third quarter, Wayne State came close after scores by Thompson and Alyssa Leister reduced their deficit to five points. However, Ferris countered strongly, finishing with a significant run that left them leading by sixteen points entering the final quarter.

The fourth period saw Ferris maintaining its lead despite Wayne’s efforts. Kenzie Bowers’ three-pointer pushed their lead further as Wayne struggled offensively, hitting just over one-quarter of their shots during this time.

For Wayne State, Gabi Lutchka led scoring with a season-best performance of 22 points including six three-pointers. Taylor Thompson contributed another double-double with ten points and rebounds each. Shea Tripp added nine points alongside four steals while Alyssa Leister provided six assists.

Ferris was buoyed by strong performances from Kenzie Bowers and Kadyn Blanchard who both achieved double-doubles; Bowers had twelve points and eleven rebounds while Blanchard added sixteen points plus ten boards.

Looking ahead, Wayne State returns home to face Parkside on January 9 followed by Purdue Northwest on January 11 at WSU Fieldhouse.