WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University men's basketball team concludes its current four-game road stretch with a pair of weekend contests against NSIC North opponents.
The Warriors travel to Minot State on Friday night for an 8 p.m. game followed by a 6 p.m. tipoff on Saturday at the University of Mary.
Winona State has won eight of its last 12 games overall.
The Warriors salvaged a road split last weekend with an 84-80 win at Augustana on Saturday. WSU owned a 12-point second half lead at Wayne State the night before, but the Wildcats battled back on their home court for a 69-67 win.
Winona hoisted a season-high 33 three-point attempts at Augustana, knocking down at least 15 for the fourth time this year (4-0 in those games). The Warriors are 7-3 this season when attempting 25 or more three-pointers in a contest.
WSU ranks second in the NSIC in three-point shooting (41.8%) which is good for 12th in the country. Winona's 9.7 three-pointers made per game rank second in the conference.
The Warriors rank third in the league in assist/turnover ratio (1.44) and are fourth in turnover margin (+1.4). Freshman guard Devin Whitelow ranks fourth in the nation with a 4.9 assist/turnover ratio.
Winona's lone senior, Corey Jeffs, leads the team in scoring (12.6 ppg) and rebounding (5.4 rpg). Tommy Gathje, who went off for 21 points at Augustana, is averaging 12.4 points per game. Guards Caleb Wagner (10.9) and Mason Domask (10.7) round of the Warriors' scoring leaders.
Scouting Minot State
The Beavers (17-3, 11-3 NSIC) own an impressive 10-1 mark at home this season. Two of Minot's three losses overall have come in the month of January, falling on the road to Northern State and Bemidji State.
Minot ranks fifth in the league in scoring offense (79.8 pg) and ranks second in scoring defense (69.2). The Beavers rank second in the NSIC in field goal shooting (49.6%).
Tyler Rudolph leads the team and ranks second in the conference with 22 points per contest on 61% shooting. The senior forward ranks sixth in the NSIC in rebounding (7.1), right behind teammate David Akibo (7.2).
Luis Ricci Maia ranks second in the league with 6.6 assists per game.
Winona State leads the all-time series with Minot, 7-1.
Scouring U-Mary
The Marauders (5-13, 3-11 NSIC) host Upper Iowa on Friday night before Saturday's showdown with the Warriors. Mary picked up its first road sweep of the season last weekend, downing Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State on their home courts.
Mary ranks near the bottom of the NSIC in both scoring offense (71.9 ppg) and scoring defense (77.7).
Hunter Keith paces the offense with 14.6 points per game on 48% shooting. Trevor Zacher (11.0) is the only other Marauder averaging double digits in scoring.
Jaylan White is averaging 3.8 assists per contest, and ranks second in the NSIC in assist/turnover ratio (3.1).
Winona State leads the all-time series, 17-1, including 10 straight wins over U-Mary.
