ORANGE, Calif. | Wayne State (Neb.) College scored the game's first 17 points en route to a 77-49 women's basketball victory over Young Harris College Friday (Nov. 3) afternoon at the Sport Anaheim Division II Tip-off Classic being played at Santiago Canyon College.

The Mountain Lions fell to 0-1 and will next face the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Saturday (Nov. 4) at 9 a.m. Pacific time. The Wildcats improved to 1-0.

The Wildcats opened the game with a 17-0 lead after Brittany Bongartz hit a free throw with 3:10 left in the first quarter. Maggie Lowe scored nine of the 17 points for Wayne State during the decisive run.

The Mountain Lions, who shot 30.4 percent from the floor (17-of-56) started the game by missing their first eight field goals and committed five turnovers. Young Harris got its first points on a steal and layup from Pamela Diokpara with 2:14 to go. That started an 8-1 run to end the quarter for the Mountain Lions, who trailed 18-8 after the first quarter.

Two free throws from Briana Bell got YHC within eight points (18-10) 11 seconds into the second quarter. A Kaela Patrick three-pointer and a Bell jumper got the Mountain Lions within five points (20-15) with 7:47 remaining in the half. It would be as close as Young Harris would get the remainder of the game as Wayne State used an 18-7 run to open up a 38-22 lead with 1:36 to play on a Kacie O'Connor three-pointer. A Sara Jorgensen three-pointer with 40 seconds before halftime got the Mountain Lions within 13 points (38-25) at the intermission.

Diokpara led the Mountain Lions with 10 points and six rebounds, while Bell and Patrick each tallied nine. Bell also pulled down six rebounds, while Patrick nailed three three-pointers. 

Love led the Wildcats with 15 points, while Bongartz and Andrea Larson each contributed nine points. Bongartz also grabbed 11 rebounds.