SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Winona State men's basketball team heads to Sioux Falls, S.D. as the South No. 3 seed Warriors take on the North No. 2 seed Northern State at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Sanford Pentagon.

WINONA STATE vs NORTHERN STATE FIRST LOOK:
Overall Series: Wolves lead 42-36 ... 79th Matchup
First meeting: Dec. 27, 1968 ... NSU won 75-59
Last meeting: Jan. 2, 2016 ... NSU won 68-64 
Last WSU win over NSU: Jan. 31, 2014 ... WSU won 64-53
WSU Last Game: W, 94-75 vs Minot State
NSU Last Game: W, 82-80 vs Southwest Minnesota State

LAST TIME OUT: The Warriors opened NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament play Wednesday night with a 94-75 win over Minot State in McCown Gym. Kyle Bauman tied a career high with 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting and Isaiah Gray added 21 points.

COUNT ON DEFENSE: WSU's defense has been a reliable asset this season. The Warriors lead the NSIC in scoring defense as the only team to allow teams to average under 70 points per game (69.3). Furthermore, the Warriors boast the league's best field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to make just 41.0 percent of their shots. WSU's defense was on display last Saturday, holding Augustana's league-leading scoring offense (91.3 ppg) to just 66 points.

LAST TIME VS. THE WOLVES:  It was a tale of two halves when the Warriors and Wolves squared off in McCown Gym on Jan. 2. WSU held a 37-24 halftime lead but was outscored 44-27 in the second half in a 68-64 NSU win. WSU shot 42.9 percent while the Wolves shot 39.6 percent. Riley Bambenek had 12 points and five assists, Kyle Bauman had a double-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds while Corey Jeffs and Mark Blacklock each had 11 points.

ABOUT THE WOLVES: Northern State is coached by Paul Sather, who has a record of 198-131 in his 11th season at NSU. The Wolves enter Saturday's game with a record of 18-11 and finished NSIC play with a record of 13-9 to earn the No. 2 seed in the North Division. NSU is led by Skye Warwick who leads the team with 15.0 ppg while Darin Paterka adds 14.0. The Wolves squeaked out an 82-80 win over SMSU in the opening round to extend their winning streak to four games. 

WHAT A WIN WOULD MEAN:  A win over Northern State sends the Warriors to the NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament semifinals Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. where they would face the winner of Augustana vs. Sioux Falls.

LAST YEAR IN THE TOURNAMENT: The Warriors fell in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament last season with a 67-64 decision at Minnesota Duluth. Bambenek led WSU with 14 points.

REBOUNDING RIGHT: WSU ranks third in the NSIC in rebounding defense, allowing just 33.0 per game, behind only SMSU's 30.2 per game and Augie's 31.7.