WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State men's basketball team used a strong start in the opening half to post a 65-51 victory over Gustavus in its final exhibition contest Friday night in McCown Gym.

High school teammates Riley Bambenek and Tim Wagner combined to score 34 points for the Warriors. Bambenek scored a game-high 18 points while drilling four of six three pointers and grabbing five rebounds along with four steals and three assists. WSU fans got their first real glimpse of Wagner, who scored 16 points in a team-high 27 minutes off the bench while nailing four three pointers of his own.

The Warriors opened up the game on fire, sinking eight of their first 11 shots to race out to a 24-5 lead. Wagner was a perfect 3-3 in the opening 10 minutes. The lead would grow even larger as WSU led 34-10 with 6:35 to play.

The wheels would temporarily fall off from that point, however, as the Gusties went on a 14-2 run to cut the Warrior lead to just 12 at 36-24 with 2:25 to play but WSU would close out the half on a 7-2 run of their own to make it 43-26 at the break.

Winona State shot 54 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes while dialing in six of 11 shots from long range. WSU enjoyed a big advantage in rebounding, snatching 23 while allowing Gustavus to grab just 12.

The Warriors struggled to find a rhythm in the second half, shooting just 35 percent (7-of-20) while the Gusties shot 46 percent (11-of-24), but strong defense kept the game well enough in hand en route to the 65-51 win.

Winona State sets its sights on the season opener a week from Saturday, when it welcomes Wisconsin-La Crosse to McCown Gym for a non-conference matchup with the opening tap scheduled for 6 p.m.