WINONA, Minn. – Four Warriors scored in double figures for the Winona State men's basketball team as it throttled Clarke University 86-45 Tuesday evening in McCown Gymnasium.
All but two Warriors scored in the game as the Warriors displayed their balanced attack. Riley Bambenek led all scorers with 18 points, while Mark Blacklock added 14, Mohamed Ali Ben Ammar scored 13 and Corey Jeffs chipped in 10.
The Warriors wasted no time jumping out to a big lead, scoring the game's first 11 points thanks to a quick jumper by Bambenek, back-to-back 3-pointers by Blacklock and another 3-point shot from Bambenek.
The Crusaders hung with WSU for much of the first half from that point, keeping it around a 10-point deficit after the Warrior lead was as much as 15. Clarke got it to single digits with a layup at 3:47 to play in the half, but WSU would go on an 8-3 run to end the half with a 35-21 lead.
WSU shot 42 percent in the opening 20 minutes compared to Clarke's 36 percent. WSU was also 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. Blacklock scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half to lead the Warrior charge.
Unlike the season opener, Winona State would not allow any sign of a second-half comeback. With the Warriors already controlling a 20 point lead with 13:07 to play, WSU went on a 13-0 run to put the game out of reach and build a 33 point lead. That run turned into a 32-11 run for the remainder of the game as the Warriors outscored the Crusaders 51-24 in the second half.
The Warriors were a very efficient 22-for-37 (60 percent) in the half and finished the game shooting 52 percent while the Crusaders finished at 33 percent from the floor.
Ben Ammar added six rebounds and five blocks to his 13 points while going 6-of-10 from the field. Jeffs, meanwhile, had a game-high three steals and a pair of assists to go with 10 points. Redshirt freshman Tim Wagner scored nine points thanks to a team-high three 3-pointers.
The Warriors again held a big advantage in rebounding, grabbing 44 boards to Clarke's 27.
Winona State (1-1) continues its nonconference home slate Saturday when it hosts Cardinal Stritch at 2 p.m. in McCown Gym.
