BIG RAPIDS– The Wayne State University men’s basketball team won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference basketball championship with a last second tip- in by Mike Hollingsworth. The 73-71win over Ferris State had drama and last minute lead changes. It was the first GLIAC title for WSU veteran coach, David Greer.
Greer, who has been head coach at WSU for ten seasons said, “It was a great game in a great college basketball atmosphere. It’s just unfortunate somebody had to lose this game.” Previously he had been an assistant at the University of Detroit-Mercy.
The last time WSU (22-7), won the GLIAC title was in 1999. Hollingsworth, a sophomore guard, tipped in a missed Warrior shot with 1.5 seconds left for the heroics. Hollingsworth scored the last 10 of 12 points for Wayne State and finished with 22.
Senior Bryan Smothers was the tourney’s MVP and Hollingsworth was named to the All- Tournament team.
The Warrior’s got to the championship game by beating ninth ranked, University of Findlay (24-4), 73-64.
The GLIAC crown win puts WSU in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. Ironically, they will face Ferris State again on Saturday at noon. Ferris won their first meeting also in Big Rapids on February 17, 78- 66.
Wayne State will have to stop two time GLIAC player of the year Justin Keenan. The 6’7” Ferris State senior had 25 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game.
WSU players that got season honors for the All-GLIAC squad were Hollingsworth and Smothers. Senior Ike Udanoh and Smothers also got conference recognition for being defensive specialists. Jerry Oden is the only other senior on this years WSU team.
Editor’s Note: Raymond Rolak played baseball at Wayne State University
