Western Wayne Today

Wayne State University's women's basketball team opened its 2025-26 season with a narrow 61-56 loss to Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas. The game was part of the first day of the 2025 D2 CCA Tip-Off Classic.

The Warriors started strong, taking an early lead after senior Gabi Lutchka tied the score at 3-3 with a three-pointer and graduate student Karrington Gordon followed with a three-point play. Junior McKenna Ferguson extended Wayne State's advantage to 9-5 midway through the first quarter. However, Texas Woman's closed out the period on a nine-point run to lead 14-9 after ten minutes.

In the second quarter, both teams struggled offensively before Gordon scored on a driving lay-up and free throw. The teams traded baskets, but Texas Woman's finished the half ahead 25-20.

The third quarter saw both teams keep pace until Ferguson hit consecutive three-pointers to bring Wayne State within three points. She later cut the deficit to two with a steal and lay-up, but Texas Woman's responded and maintained a four-point edge heading into the final quarter.

Ferguson sparked Wayne State in the fourth quarter by scoring five quick points, giving her team a brief lead. Senior Taylor Thompson added another basket for a three-point margin. After several lead changes and ties, Gordon gave Wayne State a late advantage before fouling out on what was described as "a questionable flagrant foul." Texas Woman's capitalized on this turning point and secured the win with late free throws.

Both teams attempted 53 field goals, with Texas Woman's making 42 percent compared to Wayne State's 40 percent. The Warriors shot better from three-point range (33 percent) than their opponents (27 percent), but struggled at the free throw line, converting just 56 percent of their attempts compared to Texas Woman's 70 percent. Wayne State held a slight rebounding edge at 31-28.

Ferguson led all scorers with 23 points on efficient shooting (8-of-13 overall and perfect from beyond the arc), also grabbing five rebounds. Gordon contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while Lutchka collected five boards.

For Texas Woman's, Madi Lumsden scored a team-high 19 points. Averee Kleinhans added 11 points, and Gabby Elliott pulled down a game-best 11 rebounds.

Wayne State will finish its participation in the Tip-Off Classic on Saturday against the University of Alabama Huntsville.