WAYNE, Neb. — Hesston College men’s basketball fell 97–50 on the road at Wayne State College on Monday night, as a fast start from the Wildcats and a dominant effort on the glass proved too much for the Larks to overcome. Hesston opened the game with early energy, taking a 5–0 lead behind an Antonio Odum three and a mid-range jumper from Dante Smith, but Wayne State quickly responded with a 31–11 run that created separation the Larks could not erase.
Odum and Brennon Dodge led Hesston with 11 points each. Dodge shot 4-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-3 from deep, while adding two assists and a pair of rebounds. Odum finished with three three-pointers of his own and four rebounds. Trent Thompson added nine points, six rebounds and three assists, and Henry Snyder provided a spark off the bench with eight points in nine minutes. The Larks finished the night shooting 19-for-57 from the floor and 7-for-27 beyond the arc.
Wayne State’s offense was efficient throughout, shooting 61 percent in the first half while scoring 28 points in the paint and generating 10 fast-break points. The Wildcats entered halftime leading 50–25, then continued to build on that lead with 47 second-half points. They tallied 45 points off the bench and finished 37-for-61 from the field and 11-for-17 from three.
Despite the final margin, Hesston continued to compete through the second half. Thompson opened the period with a three-pointer, and Dodge added two more baskets as the Larks searched for rhythm offensively. Hesston forced nine turnovers and picked up four steals, but Wayne State’s size and efficiency on the boards—holding a 45–22 rebounding advantage—proved decisive.
The Larks will take some time off before returning to the Cornhusker State to take on NCAA DII opponent Nebraska-Kearney on Dec. 13.
