SIOUX FALLS – The University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (13-15, 9-11 NSIC) had three players in double figures but dropped an 80-68 decision to Wayne State (9-17, 7-13 NSIC) on Senior Day Saturday at the Stewart Center. With the setback, the Cougars, which had a three-game winning streak against Wayne State halted with the setback, dropped to 13-15 overall and 9-11 in league play.

Prior to the start of the game, USF recognized and honored its six seniors include Mack Johnson of Roseville, Minn.; Clint Thomas of McCall, Idaho; Daniel Hurtt of Kansas City, Mo.; Kebu Johnson of Hopkins, Minn.; Cutler Finneman of St. Paul, Minn,; and Tyler Thielges of Lamoure, N.D.

Against the Wildcats, the Cougars were led in scoring by Daniel Hurtt with 20 points while Drew Guebert provided 15 and Mack Johnson 11. Hurtt, who reached 20 points for the fourth time this season and double digits for the 17th time, made 7-of-13 field goals, including 3-of-4 from three point range. He also collected four rebounds to help USF to a 33-21 edge on the boards. M. Johnson added 11 points with eight boards and four assists. He pushed his career total to 1,572 points for ninth on the USF scoring list, 17 behind Luther Hippe (1983-87) for eighth at 1,589. Junior point guard Zach Wessels contributed six points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The difference in the game tonight was WSC's ability to make shots while USF's offense had some struggles. The Wildcats hit 27-of-52 from the field for 51.9 percent, including a blistering 10-of-19 from three point range for 35.3 percent. At the foul line WSC also had the edge, making 16-of-19 for 84.2 percent while the Cougars converted 12-of-15 for 80 percent.

While the Cougars held the rebounding edge, shooting by WSC and its effective play in the paint (37-to-24 point advantage) plus conversion on points off turnovers (18-to-6 point edge) provided the difference. The Wildcats were led by Kendall Jacks with 17 points while Jordan Cornelius added 12.

USF built a 10-point early at 21-11 with 12 minutes to play. However, WSC closed the half on a 30-to-13 run to lead at the halftime break, 41-34. In the second half, the Wildcats outscored USF, 39-34, to pick up the win and take a split in the season series.

Hurtt helped propel the USF offense early with seven straight points and a 7-2 lead with 18:12 to play in the half. The Cougars were able to extend the lead to 14-5 after a pair of foul shots from Guebert. With Hurtt's three pointer, the Cougars pushed the advantage to 21-11 with 11:49 to play.

WSC rallied and held the advantage over the final 11 plus minutes to play. A three-pointer by JJ Zumbrennen provided the Wildcats with a 25-23 lead as part of a 14-2 run. With 3:03 to play, Hurtt converted a lay-up to tie the game at 32.  Over the final three minutes, WSC had a 9-2 run, including a three from Luke TerHark to take a 41-34 lead to halftime.

In the half, USF hit 53.6 percent from the field on 14-of-26 shooting. They were 3-of-9 from three point range but tried just three free throws. WSC was also 14-of-26 from the field but made 6-of-11 from three point range and 7-of-7 from the free throw line. USF was damaged by eight turnovers in the half while WSC had just four. In addition, the Wildcats owned a 19-12 edge in points on the paint and 12-4 margin in points off turnovers.

WSC increased their advantage to 11 at 48-37 when Jacks made a lay-up with 15:40 to play in the second half. USF tried to make runs at the visitors but were stymied by the Wildcats' hot shooting. After Hurtt's three-point play cut the deficit to 57-47 with 10:36 to play, WSC had five straight points, including a three by Cornelius as they took a 62-47 (9:09). With 3:58 left, USF drew within 74-65 on two foul shots by Kebu Johnson.

Once again, the Wildcats answered as Vance Janssen's lay-up and two free throws along with two free throws from Brian Goodwin pushed the margin to 80-65 at the 2:58 mark. The only scoring over the final three minutes came from Hurtt's final three at the Stewart Center with 34 seconds left on the clock.

USF will close the regular season with road games at Minnesota State on Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 18, at Concordia-St. Paul with tip set for 6 p.m.