SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A pair of freshmen recorded the best performances of their collegiate careers, but it wasn't enough as the Winona State men's basketball team fell to Sioux Falls 83-78 Friday night at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Redshirt freshman Charlie Koontz scored a career-best and tied a team game-high with 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including a 2-for-3 mark from 3-point range, and was 6-for-6 from the free throw line. True freshman Connor Flack added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and was 3-for-4 from 3-point range.
The Warriors dug themselves an early 14-3 hole just two and a half minutes into the game but the first of Koontz's 3-pointers cut it to 16-10 by the 14:07 mark.
A 3-pointer from Riley Bambenek – who tied Koontz with a team-best 16 points – hit a 3-pointer to cut it to 21-17 and another 3-ball from Bambenek at the 8:48 mark cut the Cougar lead to just 24-22. But Sioux Falls would gradually increase its lead back to double digits as Mack Johnson hit a 3-poitner with 1:53 left in the half to go up 43-31 and would extend the lead to as much as 15 at 46-31 before settling for a 46-36 halftime lead as a 5-0 run with a 3-pointer from Babmenek and layup by Koontz kept it within reach.
Connor Flack got in on the 3-point action early in the second half to cut the deficit to six at 49-43 and with 12:41 to play he hit jumper to cut it to five at 57-52. Kyle Bauman shortly after hit a 3-pointer to cap off a 7-0 WSU spurt and pull even with the Cougars at 57-57, but USF extended the lead back to seven points on a pair of occasions. Corey Jeffs hit a 3-pointer with 3:11 to play to get WSU back within four at 73-69, but the Warriors couldn't pull any closer as the Cougars earned the 83-78 win.
All four of Bambenek's shots were from 3-point range, while making all four free throws while dishing out three assists in 31 minutes. Isaiah Gray was the fourth Warrior to reach double figures, adding 10 points.
The Warriors finished the game shooting 45.6 percent from the floor but shot an efficient 50 percent (12-of-24) from 3-point range. USF shot slightly better from the field at 49 percent but shot slightly worse, 12-of-26, from distance.
Winona State (5-8, 4-5 NSIC) travels to Marshall, Minnesota on Saturday for a 7 p.m. tipoff against Southwest Minnesota State inside the R/A Facility.
