The Winona State men's basketball team is back inside McCown Gymnasium this weekend, hosting Southwest Minnesota State Friday at 8 p.m. before taking on Sioux Falls at 6 p.m. Saturday.

LAST TIME OUT: The Warriors jumped out to a 10-0 lead and the second half was a back-and-forth affair, but the Warriors fell to Upper Iowa 79-74 in the NSIC opener. Five Warriors reached double figures, led by Mark Blacklock's 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Josh Mongan and Tommy Gathje each had 11 while Riley Bambenek and Isaiah Gray chipped in 10.

HOME SWEET HOME: After four straight road losses, the Warriors are back at home where the Warriors have been a much different team. The Warriors are 14-2 in their last 16 home games and have a current streak of eight straight NSIC victories inside McCown Gymnasium.

SUCCESS AGAINST SMSU: WSU has had the Mustangs' number in the past decade, winning 23 of the past 27 meetings dating back to Feb. 14, 2003, which was the last time SMSU beat the Warriors in Winona.

ABOUT THE MUSTANGS: Brad Bigler is in his seventh season as head coach at SMSU and has compiled a record of 99-81, including 69-61 in NSIC play. His 99 victories rank second all-time in team history. SMSU, which is 4-1 this season, is averaging 81 ppg, shooting 51 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 78 percent from the free throw line. SMSU opponents are averaging 76 ppg and shooting 48 percent from the field.

ABOUT THE COUGARS: Chris Johnson is in his eighth season as head coach at USF and has a record of 143-108 all-time. Two players, Mack Johnson (12.8 ppg) and Daniel Hurtt (14.5 ppg,) have both scored in double digits in five consecutive games to open the season. USF MBB is averaging 82.6 ppg., (5th, NSIC) and allowing 60.6 ppg (2nd, NSIC). or a 22.6 scoring margin (1st, NSIC).

SHOOTING STRENGTH: The Warriors are one of the NSIC's most efficent shooting teams in the league, making shots at a 48 percent clip, which is good for fourth in the NSIC. However, WSU's two opponents this weekend, SMSU and USF, are No. 1 and No. 2 in the league, respectively, at 51 percent and 49 percent. 

GATHJE GETS GOING: True freshman Tommy Gathje appears to be adjusting to college basketball. After scoring 12 points combined in the first three games of the season, Gathje has reached double figures in the past two outings, scoring 10 against Cal Poly Pomona and following up with an 11-point performance at Upper Iowa.

REBOUNDING RIGHT: The Warriors rank second in the league in rebounding defense, holding the opposing team to just 28.2 per game, just off the pace of league leader SMSU's 27.6.

MONGAN'S RETURN: The Warriors have enjoyed the return of point guard Josh Mongan. After missing all but two games last season due to injury, the junior has been a great distributor of the ball, ranking eighth in the NSIC with 3.8 assists per game and setting a career high of 8 in the game against CSU San Bernardino.

BLACKLOCK'S BOARDS: Mark Blacklock has done his job when it comes to giving his offense second chances, as his 3.0 offensive rebounds per game is the fourth best mark in the NSIC.