Parkside 79, Wayne State 75
The Parkside women's basketball team hosted the Wayne State Warriors in De Simone Arena on Thursday night. Prior to the start of the game, the Rangers recognized Alyssa Nelson with the game ball from her 2,000^th career point milestone. The Rangers and the Warriors battled for most of the game, but a strong second half would be enough to lift the Rangers to victory, as the earned the season sweep over the Warriors.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rangers and Warriors both got off to an even start in the first quarter, with the Warriors leading 19-18 at the end of the first quarter. Nelson and Kayla Bohr both led the Rangers with five points in the opening quarter. As a team, the Rangers shot 40% from the field in the quarter.
 

AND-1 for Alyssa Nelson!!! pic.twitter.com/PmCD3LfdF2

— Parkside WBB (@RangersWBB) February 24, 2023

 
The Warriors increased their lead to nine to open the second quarter. A basket from Kendal Zeiter ended the scoring drought for the Rangers. A pair of free throws from Nelson cut the deficit to five, as the Rangers trailed 28-23 with five minutes to play in the first half. The Rangers rallied back and a basket from Zeiter tied the game at 32-32. A layup from Grace Lomen put the Rangers back on top with just under two minutes to play. A last-second bucket for Bohr would send the Rangers into the half with a 36-32 lead. At the half, Bohr and Lomen led the Rangers with nine points each.
 

Grace Lomen is an unstoppable force! pic.twitter.com/euGlcvL8ZX

— Parkside WBB (@RangersWBB) February 24, 2023

 
The two teams battled back and forth in the third quarter, with the Rangers holding on to a 45-41 lead with 4:45 to go in the quarter. The Warriors would go on a 8-2 run to take a 49-47 lead. Lomen ended the run and tied the game. She would go on to sink a pair of free throws to take a 51-49 lead. The Rangers would head to the quarter leading 53-51. Lomen led the Rangers with 15 points after three quarters.
 
The Rangers got hot to start the fourth quarter, going on an 8-3 run to start the period. The Ranger increased their lead to nine points after a converted and-one play for Zeiter. The Warriors cut the deficit to three points, trailing 67-64 with just under five minutes to go. Nelson drained a layup in the paint to bring the lead back to five. Sheridan Flauger was able to find the basket through contact and convert the three-point play to put the Rangers up by seven. The Warriors would get back within three, but Bohr would end the run as she found Nelson under the basket for an easy layup. The Rangers had a 75-71 lead with 43 seconds to play.
 
HEAR FROM COACH CONELY
 
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Lomen shined in her debut as a member of the starting five, leading the Rangers with 19 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Nelson finished with 18 points and three rebounds. Zeiter and Bohr each ended with 16 points, while Bohr totaled ten rebounds to earn her first career double-double. Shea Tripp led the Warriors with 26 points.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
Parkside basketball is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 25 as the Rangers close out the regular season against Saginaw Valley State. It is also Senior Day for the Rangers, as well as Jockey Day. Action will begin in De Simone Arena at 1 p.m. For more information, visit parksiderangers.com.