Wayne State (Neb.) College proved once again why its distance from the rest of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference remained a home court advantage as the University of Minnesota Duluth fell 93-85 in Wayne, Nebraska on Friday Night.

Even during its six-game winning streak entering play, UMD (13-4, 10-2 NSIC, R.V.) had made a habit of falling behind early in games, and Wayne State (4-12, 2-9 NSIC) made this one no different. The Wildcats led by as many as eight in the first half, leading 23-15 with 10:54 in the opening frame after making good on nine-straight posessions before the Bulldogs began their comeback. Senior forward Brendon Pineda led the charge, scoring eight straight points for UMD with a dunk to punctuate the comeback, drawing the teams even at 29. The Bulldogs took a lead into the locker room 37-35, coming back to lead by four late in the opening half.

The two teams traded scores through much of the early going of the second half but UMD opened up a lead of seven points at 61-54. The Wildcats scratched back to tie the game at 61, but the Bulldogs would slowly extend their lead back out to seven at 77-70 with 5:39 remaining. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Pineda rolled an ankle and was forced to the bench having scored 31 points for UMD. With him on the bench, Wayne State pulled back into the game and took a lead before Pineda could return to the game with just over two minutes remaining. The Wildcats extended that lead out to four and eventually seven when WSC's Jordan Cornelius hit a clutch three-pointer off an in-bounds pass. A second lay-up in as many possessions by Pineda would bring the Bulldogs back within 87-82 with under a minute remaining.

The Wildcats would hit their free throws late and hold off the Bulldogs, who fell for just the second time in conference play, while Wayne State picked up its fourth win of the season and fourth win on their home court. Pineda finished matching his career-high with 35 points and a game-high seven rebounds, while senior guard Pierre Newton added 15 in defeat. Senior guards Taylor Lavery and Junior Coleman each had 11 points on the night. Wayne State had five players in double figures, with Cornelius adding 22 and Adam Moon 24.

UMD will be looking at a tough task as it hopes to bounce back tomorrow night. The Bulldogs take on No. 2 Augustana University on the road in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in another NSIC interdivisional match-up. Opening tip is set for 6:00 p.m. following the women's contest.