WINONA, Minn. -- The Winona State men's basketball team looks to carry over its home winning streak into the new year when it takes on Northern State Saturday at 6 p.m. and No. 4 MSU Moorhead at 4 p.m. Sunday.
NORTHERN STATE at WINONA STATE FIRST LOOK:Overall Series: Wolves lead 41-36 ... 78th Matchup
First meeting: Dec. 27, 1968 ... NSU won 75-59
Last meeting: Jan. 2, 2015 ... NSU won 74-51
Last WSU win over NSU: Jan. 31, 2014 ... WSU won 64-53
WSU Last Game: W, 81-65 vs Upper Iowa
NSU Last Game: L, 82-71 vs. MSU Moorhead
MSU MOORHEAD at WINONA STATE FIRST LOOK:Overall Series: Warriors lead 80-73 ... 154th Matchup
First meeting: Jan. 27, 1934 ... MSUM won 40-22
Last meeting: Jan. 3, 2015 ... MSUM won 71-65
Last WSU win over MSUM: Mar. 3, 2014 ... WSU won 70-53
WSU Last Game: W, 81-65 vs Upper Iowa
MSUM Last Game: L,82-71 at Northern State
LAST TIME OUT: The Warriors beat Upper Iowa 81-65 at home in the final game of 2015. WSU's defense held the Peacocks to just 25.4 percent shooting, the worst offensive output by an NSIC team this season.
HOME SWEET HOME: Few teams have proven tougher to beat in their home gym than the Warriors. The Warriors are 17-2 in McCown Gymnasium dating back to the beginning of last season, and have shot an impressive 51 percent at home during that span while holding opponents to 41 percent. In home games this year, WSU is shooting an even better 53 percent while limiting opponents to 37 percent.
TAKING ON THE NORTH: WSU will take a break from the NSIC South slate to take on teams from the North Division for the first time this season. The Warriors went 4-4 against North foes last year, holding serve at home and going winless on the road.
ABOUT THE WOLVES: NSU is coached by Paul Sather, who's in his 6th season at the helm of the program. He holds a collegiate career record of 186-126. The Wolves embark on McCown Gym with a record of 6-6, and are 2-4 in NSIC play. NSU has a two-way threat in Darin Peterka's 15.1 ppg and Skye Warwick's 14.2 ppg. Carter Evans leads the squad with 6.6 rebounds per contest. NSU is 3rd in the NSIC in 3-pointers made (9.4 per game), and sixth in scoring offense (80.8) and 3-point defense (.341).
SCOUTING THE DRAGONS: MSUM is coached by Chad Walthall, who's in his sixth season at the helm of the Dragon program with a record of 241-111. The Dragons, ranked No. 4 in the latest NABC Top 25 Poll, are 14-1 on the year with a 6-0 league mark. Isaac Sevlie leads the NSIC with 20.4 ppg and pulls down 8.1 rebounds, while Tanner Kretchman (11.9), Tyler Vaughan (11.0) and Aaron Lien (10.9) all score in double figures per game. MSUM has the league's best field goal percentage defense (.397) and the top rebound offense (42.9 per game), along with the third best scoring offense (85.0 ppg) and sixth best scoring defense (71.2).
STARTING CONSISTENCY: After churning out seven different starting lineups last season, the Warriors have sent on the court the same starting five in every game so far this season.
SHARP SHOOTING: Despite attempting the fourth fewest 3-pointers in the NSIC, the Warriors take advantage of what they're given, boasting the third best percentage from long range in the league. WSU makes 41 percent of its 3-point shots, behind only Augustana and Minnesota State - two top 25 teams. WSU's 3-point defense has been on the rise as of late as well, ranking fourth in the league while allowing teams to hit just 33.6 percent of their shots.
BIG MAN, LONG DISTANCE: The NSIC 3-point percentage leader isn't led by a guard, it's led by WSU big man
Kyle Bauman, who's made 12 of his 17 shots from long distance this season (.706). After going just 1-of-1 through the first five games of the year, he's hit 11 3-pointers in the past five games. He's hit 9-of-12 from 3-point land inside McCown Gym this season.
A TRIPLE A GAME: It's been more than 15 years since the Warriors went scoreless from behind the 3-point arc. WSU has made a 3-point field goal in 485 consecutive games, with the last 0-for coming on Nov. 29, 2000 in a 79-57 win over Saint Mary's.
