Wayne, Neb. --- Wayne State College rallied from a 46-22 deficit early in the third quarter as the Wildcats stormed back to shock host Colorado Mesa 62-59 Saturday evening at the Holiday Inn-Airport Thanksgiving Women’s Basketball Classic in Grand Junction, Colorado. The win moves Wayne State to 4-1 while the host Mavericks fall to 0-5 and gives WSC head coach Brent Pollari his 100th career win.

WSC held an early 7-3 lead following a pair of Delaney Clark free throws at the 6:35 mark of the first quarter.

But the host Mavericks went on a 9-0 run and never relinquished the lead again.

The ‘Cats used an Abby Kopecky 3-pointer to close within two at 12-10 and ended the first quarter trailing 18-14.

Wayne State was still within four at 21-17 at the 7:28 mark of the second quarter, but Colorado Mesa scored the next 14 points over 4:20 and had a 20-2 run in a span of 5:32 to take control of the game. 

Following the long scoring run, the Mavericks held a 41-19 lead and held a 43-22 lead at intermission thanks to 59 percent shooting (19-32) in the first half while WSC could muster just 28.6 percent on 8 of 28 in the opening half.

The third quarter saw the Wildcats turn the tables on the host Mavericks to get back into the contest as WSC used a 13-0 run over 5:54 to cut the Colorado Mesa lead to 48-35 before the Mavericks closed the third quarter with a 50-38 advantage.

It took three minutes for either team to score in the fourth quarter as Wayne State’s Kassidy Pingel drained a 3-pointer from the right wing to shave the Maverick lead to nine at 50-41.

Colorado Mesa still held a 54-43 advantage with six minutes remaining when the ‘Cats made their comeback.

A basket from freshman Kylah vanDonkersgoed along with back-to-back buckets by Annie Guntzel tied the score at 55-55 with 2:29 to play.

After the Mavericks made a pair of free throws to go up two, senior forward Kassidy Pingel had consecutive baskets and WSC took a 59-57 lead with 1:07 to play.

A pair of Lauren Zacharias free throws gave the ‘Cats a 61-57 cushion, but the Mavericks cut the lead to two with eight seconds left to make the score 61-59.

Zacharias was fouled on the inbounds pass and sank one of two free throws for a 62-59 lead.  A desperation 3-pointer by Colorado Mesa fell short and the comeback win was sealed for the Wildcats.

Wayne State made 21 of 54 shots in the game for 38.9 percent, but hit 50 percent (13-26) in the second half comeback.  The ‘Cats were just 3 for 18 from the 3-point line and 17-29 (58%) at the charity stripe.

Zacharias scored 17 points to lead Wayne State followed by Pingel with 15 and Guentzel 12.

It was a tale of two halve shooting for host Colorado Mesa.  After making 59 percent (19-32) in the first half, the Mavericks hit just 4 of 23 shots in the second half for 17 percent.  CM was 4 of 19 from the 3-point line and 9 for 15 at the free throw stripe.

Jamisyn Heaton had 14 points for Colorado Mesa while Kylie Kravig added 13.

WSC was outrebounded in the contest 42-32 as Zacharias and Maya Fitzpatrick each had four rebounds.  Zacharias had five assists and six steals to lead the ‘Cats in both categories.

Wayne State returns to Northern Sun Conference play Thursday evening with a road game at the University of Sioux Falls starting at 5:30 p.m.