WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball team opened the 2017-18 season Saturday evening with a 96-31 blowout victory over Beloit College.
The Warriors' swarming full-court pressure forced Beloit to commit as many turnovers as points scored on the night – 31.
WSU tallied 20 steals and the defensive effort force numerous shot clock violations by the Buccaneers when the visiting team was able to hold onto the ball.
The teams played an evenly matched first quarter before Winona blew things wide open over the final 30 minutes of action.
The Warriors picked up the intensity in the second quarter scoring a game-high 28 points, highlighted by an 18-2 run that lasted just over five minutes. The Warriors forced 14 turnovers in the quarter and scored 15 points off of those miscues.
The second half was not much different. Beloit shot 11.5% from the field as the Warriors continued to pressure them. Winona State shot over 50% from the field the remainder of the game as freshman Allie Pickrain lead the team to a convincing victory over the Buccaneers.
Pickrain finished with 16 points on the night going 4-for-4 from the line and draining both of her three point opportunities.
Hannah McGlone wasn't far behind her teammate, going 7-9 from the field, scoring 14 points and bringing down nine rebounds. Emily Kieck was the key distributer today with nine assists. She also managed to eclipse the double-digit point mark with 12 on the day.
As a team, the Warriors shot 53.5% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Winona State converted 35 total points off of turnovers and outscored Beloit in the paint, 48-4.
Every Warrior on the roster scored at least three points in the game.
Winona State (1-0) goes on the road next weekend to Quincy, Ill where they will face the host, Quincy University in the QU Subway Classic Friday night at 7 p.m.
