After a challenging pair of losses, the Wayne State University women’s basketball team rebounded with a decisive 76-49 victory over Davenport. The Warriors will conclude their regular season at home with games against Ferris State and Lake Superior State. A special ceremony to honor four seniors will precede Saturday’s match.
Historically, Ferris State has a slight edge over Wayne State in their series, holding a 45-40 record overall. However, Wayne State leads 20-18 when playing in Detroit. Recently, Ferris State has won three consecutive meetings, including an 82-65 win earlier this season.
Against Lake Superior State, Wayne State holds a stronger position with a 46-42 lead overall and a notable 29-15 advantage at home. The Warriors have dominated recent encounters, winning nine of the last ten matches.
Ferris State enters the game following victories over Purdue Northwest and Parkside. Key players include Kadyn Blanchard and Mia Riley. Coach Kurt Westendorp has achieved significant success with the team, leading them to two NCAA tournament appearances.
Lake Superior State struggles this season with a 5-21 record under coach Grace Howrigon. Grace Bradford stands out as their top performer.
Wayne State has faced tough competition this season but remains competitive nationally and within the GLIAC conference. Taylor Thompson ranks high in offensive rebounds while Shea Tripp is recognized for her career steals and is also one of three national finalists for the John Wooden Citizen Cup.
Thompson and Tripp had standout performances recently. Thompson excelled defensively with multiple steals and blocks, while Tripp led offensively with impressive scoring across several games.
In their last outings, Wayne State split results against Grand Valley State and Davenport. Against GVSU, despite strong efforts from Gabi Lutchka and Annabel Ayrault, they fell short 85-67. They bounced back to secure a comfortable win against Davenport.
Wayne State’s position in regional rankings remains strong alongside other GLIAC teams such as Ferris State and Grand Valley State. The upcoming release of updated rankings is anticipated on February 26th.
