Northwest Wayne News

The Wayne State University men's basketball team emerged victorious against Parkside with a score of 65-61 in a game held on Thursday night. This win marks the end of a three-game league losing streak for the Warriors, and it is also head coach Bryan Smothers' first victory over the Rangers in five attempts.

In the first half, both teams engaged in a closely contested battle, with neither side managing to secure a lead greater than four points. The period ended with Parkside leading by two points at 29-27. Wayne State's team displayed efficiency by assisting on seven out of their ten field goals, although they committed nine turnovers during this half.

As the second half unfolded, Parkside managed to take the lead early but was unable to maintain it. Rob Lee Jr., who scored a game-high 17 points, played a key role in keeping Wayne State competitive. A crucial moment came when Carmelo Harris scored a three-pointer that helped his team gain an advantage they would not relinquish. In the final minutes, Wayne State outscored Parkside to secure their win.

Team statistics highlighted Wayne State's strong performance at the free throw line, converting 20 of their 25 attempts compared to Parkside's nine attempts from the line. Additionally, Wayne State had more success with bench points and fast-break scoring.

Key players for Wayne State included Lee Jr., Harris, Jordan Briggs, and Kelvin Tamakloe who all scored in double figures. Kareem Aburashed contributed significantly with rebounds while other players added steals and blocks.

For Parkside, Josiah Palmer led his team with 16 points and five assists while Nick Brown achieved a game-high eight rebounds alongside other contributors like Ethan Ivan and Jack Rose.

Wayne State aims to continue its positive momentum as they prepare to host Purdue Northwest on Saturday at 3 p.m.