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 Wynn Sarden had his third consecutive double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds vs. CUP. |
Nov. 24, 2007
The Wayne State University men's basketball team (4-0 overall) concluded its season-opening four-game home stand with a thrilling 85-80 overtime victory over 26th-ranked California University of Pennsylvania (1-1 overall).
The visiting Vulcans entered the contest 1-0 after a 120-31 dismantling of Penn State-Greater Allegheny on Tuesday. CUP was ranked 26th nationally in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II Pre-Season Poll.
The Warriors trailed early 7-5 but went on a 12-3 run over a five minute period keyed by five points from junior Lorenzo McClelland (Oak Park, Mich./Oak Park/Mott CC) and three from senior Wynn Sarden (Sterling Heights, Mich./Warren Cousino/Macomb CC).
After a foul shot by CUP's Julian Logan made it 17-11 WSU, the Warriors went on a 12-4 run for a 29-15 advantage with 5:49 left before intermission. Sophomore Lendyn Davis (Lansing, Mich./Sexton) hit two triples in less than a minute during the run.
The Vulcans finished the half on a 15-2 run to pull within one at the break at 31-30. In addition to the score being nearly even at halftime, so were many other statistical categories (rebounds CUP 17-15; assists WSU 7-6; turnovers 9 each; steals CUP 6-5; field goals made CUP 13-12; free throws made WSU 4-2).
The game was tied four times in the first four minutes of the second half before WSU gained a four-point advantage on back-to-back jumpers by McClelland. CUP went on a 6-1 run to go ahead by one at 45-44 at the 12:45 mark.
Neither team had more than a three point lead and the contest was deadlocked four more times including at 62 with 3:37 left. CUP scored four straight for a 66-62 lead on baskets by Jesse Brooks and Logan. Senior Jason Saddler (Detroit, Mich./Cody/Mott CC) split a pair from the foul line then scored on a fast break to pull WSU within one at 66-65 with 2:00 left.
A jumper by CUP's Ron Banks made it a three point contest, but a lay-up by Sarden with 1:22 remaining was off-set by a Banks lay-up at 1:03. Sarden made two foul shots with 53 seconds left in regulation and after a lay-up by the Vulcans Alioune Mbaye with 28 seconds left, Davis drained a triple with 19 seconds remaining to knot the game at 72. A turnover by CUP with three seconds left led to a Davis deep three try at the buzzer that went off the rim.
In overtime, Wayne State scored seven of the first eight points for a 79-73 lead with 1:25 on the clock. Marcus Jackson (Hammond, La./Hammond/Delta College) split a pair from the foul line to start the extra session scoring and following a CUP turnover Sarden scored on a lay-up from McClelland. After Mbaye made one of two foul shots, Jackson scored on a lay-up. The Vulcans missed four shots (two three pointers and two foul shots) on their next possession and Sarden scored after an offensive rebound. Theron Colao scored from inside for CUP with 78 seconds left but WSU freshman Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern) made two foul shots for an 81-75 lead. Banks made one of two foul shots for the visitors and followed up an offensive rebound for a basket cutting the Warrior lead to three at 81-78 with 49 seconds remaining.
McClelland had an offensive rebound and basket with 19 seconds left for a five point lead (83-78) before James Hairston concluded the scoring with a lay-up for CUP.
Both teams shot 54 percent from the field (CUP 34-63, WSU 33-61) but the Warriors made 13-of-21 from the charity stripe compared to 8-of-18 for the Vulcans. WSU held a slim 34-33 advantage on the boards.
Sarden had a game-high 23 points along with 11 boards for his third consecutive double-double. McClelland and Davis each added 15 for WSU, while Saddler had 11. Banks scored a team-high 20 for CUP, while Mbaye had 18 and Colao had 16 off the bench.
WSU will take its best start since 1998 into Wednesday's contest at Central State (Wilberforce, Ohio). The 1998 Tartars started the year with a 6-0 mark.
Notes:
Wynn Sarden tied a WSU season-best with 10 field goals made on 11 attempts. He was also 3-of-4 from the foul line.
Bryan Smothers tied a WSU season-best with five assists.
Lendyn Davis had four triples for the second consecutive contest.
