Wayne State 82, Parkside 77
The Parkside women's basketball team came up just short in overtime of game two after a game-tying three from junior Alyssa Nelson went in as the regulation buzzer sounded to force the extra period. Nelson, the reigning GLIAC North Player of the Week finished the contest with a career-high 32 points to go with five rebounds.
 
DOWN THE STRETCH
Saturday's contest was tightly contested from the tip. Neither team held a lead bigger than six until the Rangers built up an eight-point lead with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter. However, Wayne State was able to battle back over the next ten minutes, eventually hitting two straight threes to grab a 66-65 lead with two minutes remaining in the fourth. The Warriors added onto that lead and led by three going into Parkside's final possession, when Nelson hit a step-back three to send it to overtime.
 
The hosts started the overtime with three straight possessions that ended in a made basket, taking a 77-70 lead after only a minute of the extra period. The Green & White battled back, but some missed free throws hindered their chances of securing the weekend split.
 
HEAR FROM COACH CONELY
"I know our squad was really disappointed in our performance today," head coach Jen Conely said. "We executed on our adjustments pretty well, but reverted back to habits when we got tired. Hats off to Wayne State – they continued to battle back every time we took the lead and had momentum. We knew that we needed to do a better job of rebounding, taking care of the ball, and not lose their shooter – they had 34 points off our mistakes and their shooter hit six threes.
 
"Defensively, we were solid in the first half but gave up 53 points in the last 25 minutes," Conely continued. "I need to do a better job on my end and make sure that we are prepared for Purdue Northwest on Tuesday."
 
NOTEWORTHY
Aside from Nelson's 32, two other Rangers finished in double-figures, redshirt-junior Claire Jakaitis scored 16 points, to go with four rebounds and three assists, and junior Hannah Plockelman finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. The Warriors were led by Kate McArthur, who finished with 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Rangers have a quick turnaround as they'll head to Hammond, Ind. to take Purdue Northwest on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. After, they'll return home for their final two home games of the regular season against Lake Superior State. Game on will take place on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m., and game two will tipoff on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.