WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University opens a four-game road trip this weekend at Wayne State College and No. 11 Augustana University. The Warriors (13-3, 9-3 NSIC) are 5-1 on the road this season, and look to shake off their current two-game skid.
Winona State suffered back-to-back home losses last weekend for the first time since February 2014. The Warriors have only dropped three straight overall once over the past three seasons which came in the final three games of the 2016-17 regular season. That streak included setbacks at Augustana and Wayne State.
WSU ranks sixth in the NSIC in scoring average this season (67.6 ppg), but has been slowed over the last five games to the tune of just 56 points per contest (3-2 record).
The Warrior defense ranks second in the league and 10th in Division II by allowing just 54.5 points per game.
Winona also ranks second in the NSIC in field goal shooting (45%). The Warriors' 35% accuracy from three-point range ranks fourth in the conference, but has been a source of the offensive struggles as of late. WSU went just 9-for-41 (22%) from downtown over last weekend's losses.
Hannah McGlone continues to be the Warriors' most consistent threat. The senior leads the NSIC in field goal shooting (57%) and ranks sixth in scoring (15.0 ppg). The double-double machine also leads the league in rebounding (11.1). McGlone has 10 double-doubles this season.
Freshman Allie Pickrain returned from injury earlier this month, and was back in the starting lineup last weekend. She is averaging 11 points and a team-best 2.9 assists per game.
Liz Evenocheck (9.9) and Rachel Novotny (9.0) round out Winona's scoring leaders.
Scouting Wayne State
The Wildcats (14-6, 8-4 NSIC) have dropped two straight entering Friday's game against Winona. Wayne State is 7-1 at home this season. The Wildcats leads the all-time series with Winona, 31-20, but the Warriors have won four of the last five meetings.
Wayne State ranks second in the NSIC in scoring (77.1 ppg). The Wildcats like to shoot from downtown, and rank just ahead of WSU in three-point shooting (36%).
The Wildcats have forced their opponents into a league-high 355 turnovers and lead the NSIC in blocked shots (98). Paige Ballinger's 43 blocked shots lead the NSIC.
Ballinger and Maggie Schulte lead the offense with 12 points apiece per game. Schulte also leads the team with 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest.
Scouting Augustana
The Vikings (15-1, 11-1 NSIC) suffered their lone loss of the season at MSU Moorhead last Friday, and responded with a 77-64 win the next day over No. 20 Northern State. Augustana hosts Upper Iowa on Friday before welcoming the Warriors on Saturday.
Augustana leads the all-time series against Winona, 24-9. The Warriors won the last meeting, knocking off the Vikings in last year's NSIC tournament, 82-76.
The Vikings lead the league and rank ninth in DII in scoring offense this season (82 ppg).
Augustana has forced its opponents in 327 turnovers, including 195 steals, and leads the league in turnover margin (+7.13). Logan O'Farrell ranks third in DII in steals/game (3.9).
L. O'Farrell leads the Vikings and ranks eighth in the NSIC in scoring (14.0). Presley O'Farrel ranks 14th in the league with 12.9 points per game. L. O'Farrell and Lynsey Prosser are each averaging 3.8 assists per contest.
