WINONA, Minn. – Following an impressive home win, the Winona State Warriors (11-13, 8-12 NSIC) hosted rival, Minnesota State University Mankato Mavericks (18-8, 13-7 NSIC) on their final home game of the season for senior night. Riley Bambenek's game high 28 points weren't enough as the Mavericks were victorious 69-68.
 
Jay Knuth and Cole Harper got Minnesota State on the board with back-to-back three pointers to begin play. Kyle Bauman countered with a jumper shortly after to start the scoring for the Warriors. The Maverick advantage reached seven before Josh Mongan and Bambenek made shots from beyond the arc on consecutive possessions to cut into the MSU lead. The Winona State scoreless streak approached three minutes before a tip in from Tommy Gathje cut the deficit to seven once more.
 
Bauman's layup ended a four-and-a-half-minute Warrior scoring drought and sparked a 10-0 run; he contributed six points during that stretch. Bambenek capped off a short six point run with a layup a few moments later bringing Winona State within two points. Isaiah Gray finished off a three-point play at the free throw line before a last second Maverick jumper gave MSU a slim edge, 38-34, at halftime.
 
Bambenek led all scorers at the half with 14 points and three assists, Gray was second in Warrior scoring with five. Winona State was out shot 54.2-45.8 percent from the field and 60-25 percent from three. WSU was able to find success from the free throw line going 10-11. The Mavericks held a slim advantage on the glass out-rebounding WSU 13-12, but the Warriors were able to get the advantage in points in the paint 16-12.
 
The Warriors continued scoring from beyond the arc as Bambenek and Bauman both found the bottom of the net on consecutive possessions and Winona State went up two. The Mavericks were able to counter with a three of their own on the next possession. A layup from Bambenek brought WSU back within one but he was unable to put Winona State ahead at the free throw line on the next possession. Gathje able to connect on a jumper following a Maverick three-pointer to square the score at 52 aside before Bambenek would put the Warriors up two moments as the clock neared the midway point of the half.
 
A pair of Maverick free throws from Cameron Kirksey tied the game a minute later before Bambenek put WSU back on top with a shot from beyond the arc. Gathje's layup extended the advantage to two possessions but a two-and-a-half-minute dry spell followed before makes from the charity stripe continued scoring for both sides. A three-pointer from Aarias Austin tied the score at 66 with two minutes remaining. Bauman's layup put the Warriors up one following a Minnesota State free throw. The Mavericks Jon Fuqua would hit a jumped in the paint with five seconds remaining giving them a 69-68 lead. The Winona State inbounds intended for Bambenek was deflected with two seconds remaining before Gray grabbed the loose ball and heaved up a three pointer that hit the back of the rim and bounced out as the Mavericks escaped.
 
Quick Hitters:
Riley Bambenek lead all scorers with 28 points on the night. He became the 12^th Warrior to reach the 1,500 career point mark.
Gathje and Bauman followed with 12 and 11 points.
Gray led with eight rebounds while also getting eight points.
WSU out shot MSU 48-46 percent from the field however MSU had the edge from three at 37.5-31.3 percent.
Winona State won the battle on the glass, out-rebounding Minnesota State 33-26, WSU also held the edge in the paint 32-22.
The Mavericks were able to capitalize off of turnovers scoring 16 points compared to the Warriors eight.
The Warriors travel to face Augustana, Friday at 8 p.m. and Wayne State, Saturday at 6 p.m. in their final regular season games.
 
By: Jake Thiede