VERMILLION, S.D. -- #7 seed Wayne State College earned a first round upset of the University of North Dakota, the #2 seed, in the NCAA Division II North Central Region women’s basketball tournament. The Wildcats had four players score in double-digits to pick up an 85-78 win over UND. The win is WSC’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win.

Laquisha Cook and Andrea Schoepf each scored 19 points to lead Wayne State (22-9). Schoepf was 6-of-13 from the field and also dished out eight assists. Mara Hjelle scored a career-high 17 points off the bench for the Wildcats. Her previous career-high was 11 vs. Concordia-St. Paul.

“We are definitely excited, we knew if we came out with energy we could win, we knew we’d have to give it our all to beat a team like North Dakota,” said Schoepf.

The win improves WSC head coach Ryun Williams’ record to 182-105.

“Our kids competed a different level than we have been competing at the last few weeks,” said Williaims. “That’s what the National tournament is about: raising your intensity and level play. They went out and had fun, embraced the moment and competed like crazy. We are excited because we beat a really good program.”

Kierah Kimbrough had a game-high 29 points to lead North Dakota. She also finished the game with six rebounds and five blocks. Kimbrough connected on 12-of-20 shots from the floor.

“We fought our way back, we had to keep going but they made good shots,” said Kimbrough. “I felt comfortable and confident out there and you need that when you step on the floor.”

Wayne State advances to the semifinals of the North Central Region tournament where they will face the winner of #3 Concordia/#6 Minnesota State. That semifinal game will be played on Saturday, March 15 at 4:00 p.m. in Vermillion, S.D. at the DakotaDome on the campus of The University of South Dakota.