WAYNE, Neb. — Hesston College women’s basketball fell 95–27 on the road to NCAA Division II Wayne State College on Monday evening at Rice Auditorium. The Wildcats’ pressure defense and fast-paced offense created separation early as they outscored the Larks 29–9 in the opening quarter and continued to extend the margin across all four periods.
Wayne State jumped out quickly, scoring the first four points off turnovers and building a 13–3 lead before Hesston found rhythm. Sarah Beltran provided the early highlight for the Larks, knocking down a three from the left wing off an assist from Anna McIntire. Hesston generated several second-chance looks, but Wayne State’s full-court pressure led to 13 first-quarter turnovers and multiple fast-break baskets. The Wildcats continued their run with back-to-back layups and a three-pointer to close the period with a 29–9 advantage.
Hesston battled through the second quarter with contributions from Brooke Bettis, who knocked down a jumper, and Beltran, who added her second three-pointer of the night. However, Wayne State’s depth proved difficult to contain. The Wildcats shot 55 percent in the frame, hit three triples, and forced seven more turnovers to take a 55–16 lead into halftime.
In the third period, the Larks leaned on defensive rebounding from Mariah Hall and Akiva Brown, but Wayne State maintained control behind a balanced scoring effort and an 11–4 run to open the half. Hesston continued to compete, earning put-back opportunities and generating stops, but entered the fourth trailing 71–19.
Beltran led Hesston with nine points on three made threes, while Mia Curtis added six points on efficient 3-of-5 shooting. Mariah Hall anchored the Larks on the glass with six rebounds, and Akiva Brown contributed five boards of her own. McIntire added four rebounds and two assists, and Bettis, Mia Brown, Jenna Avery and Hanah DeBelle each scored two points.
As a team, the Larks finished with 34 total rebounds and held Wayne State to just eight free-throw attempts, but the Wildcats’ 25 assists, 17 steals and 62 bench points ultimately powered their victory. Hesston concluded the night shooting 12-for-55 from the field, while Wayne State shot 51 percent and hit 11 threes.
The Larks will head to Kansas City on Saturday (Dec. 6) to take on Kansas Christian at 2 p.m.
