SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State Warriors (11-14, 8-13 NSIC) hit the road for the beginning of their final weekend of the regular season to face off against the Augustana State Vikings (12-7, 15-6 NSIC). A heavy advantage in rebounds allowed the Vikings to muscle their way to an 87-70 victory.
 
Isaiah Gray tipped scoring off for the Warriors with a layup following a Vikings three pointer to begin play. Winona State struggled to score early on as Augustana went up 9-2, three minutes into the game. The Vikings put together a 12-4 run as the half reached the 13-minute mark. Riley Bambenek looked to cut into the early deficit hitting from three before Corey Jeffs added a free throw on the next possession. Augustana once again countered with a short run of their own, scoring six straight points as the half approached the ten-minute mark.
 
With half winding down Bambenek and Jeffs scored from beyond the arc on back-to-back possessions cutting the lead to 10. Augustana answered with a 9-2 run in the closing minutes and entered the intermission with a 48-31 edge.
 
Augustana entered the break shooting 46.9 percent from the field while the Warriors posted 35.5 percent. Winona State found some success from beyond the arc holding a slight 35.7-33.3 percent edge. The Vikings held a big advantage from the free throw line going 13-14 compared to WSU's 4-6. Augustana also held the lead on the glass at 25-10 and in points off turnovers 13-6. Bambenek was an early bright spot for the Warriors as he led the team with 14 points while tying for the lead in rebounds with Gray with three. Gray was second with six points.
 
Mike Busack continued his solid shooting night from beyond the arc for the Vikings when the second half began. Mongan scored six straight for the Warriors a few moments later, connecting on two three-pointers. An 8-2 Augustana run spanning three minutes pushed the advantage to 20.
 
Gray cut the deficit to 15 with four minutes left to play, but it would be as close as the Warriors could get. Both sides traded baskets over the final minutes and the big deficit was too much for the Warriors to overcome.
 
Quick Hitters:
Both sides shot decently well from the field with Augustana holding a 48.3-44.8% edge.
The Warriors shot well from beyond the arc at 44%, but the Vikings were not far behind with a respectable 42.3%.
A big factor in the loss was due to the WSU disadvantage in rebounds 40-23.
The advantage in rebounds led to a 14-4 Vikings advantage in second chance points.
Three Warriors scored in double digits on the night led by Bambenek with 16. Gray followed him with 14 and Mongan was third with 13.
Gray also tied with Bauman for the lead in rebounds and Mongan in assists with five apiece.
The Warriors travel to Nebraska to take on Wayne State in their final regular season game Saturday, tip-off is at 6 p.m.
Winona State will be eithere the six or seven seed in the South, pending tomorrow's game with Wayne State.
 
By: Jake Thiede