WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women return home to open a season-long four-game homestand with a pair of NSIC South games at McCown Gymnasium this weekend.
The Warriors host Southwest Minnesota State on Friday at 6 p.m. followed by a grudge match with Sioux Falls on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Winona State has won six straight games, which began with a 68-66 win at SMSU in early December. The Warriors lone loss of the season came on December 1st on a buzzer-beater to Sioux Falls, 61-60.
Both games this weekend will be aired live on HBC25.
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WEEKEND RECAP: The Warriors closed out 2017 with two solid victories over NSIC North opponents. Last Saturday, WSU got off to a slow start against Crookston, only shooting 38% in the first half, but battled back from a 16-point deficit in the second half thanks to the hot shooting of Liz Evenocheck to beat the Golden Eagles by one, 74-73. The New Year's Eve matchup proved to be a defensive battle as Winona State held Bemidji State to 25 percent shooting on their way to a 47-33 win.
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR: Concluding the 2017 portion of this year's schedule, the Warriors open 2018 with an 11-1 (7-1 NSIC) record that is good for second in the NSIC South. Just ahead of Winona State is undefeated No. 12 Augustana. The Warriors are first in the NSIC in scoring defense (53.8 ppg), first in field goal percentage (47%), and second in three-point field goal percentage (37%).
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION: Southwest is currently looking to snap a seven-game losing skid started by the Warriors back in early December. The Mustang's leading scorer is Caleigh Rodning who averages 11 ppg and 8.3 rebounds. SMSU is a team that relies on their three-point shooting often, attempting close to 21 per game, but only knocking down 30 percent of those shots. Sioux Falls is currently on a two-game losing streak with losses to Wayne State and No. 12 Augustana this past weekend. The Cougars are averaging 67.7 ppg and are co-leaders in three-pointers made in the league with 104 (32%). Kaely Hummel paces USF with 16 ppg and is shooting 34% from beyond the arc.
SENIOR STANDOUT: Center Hannah McGlone looks to conclude her Warrior career as she continues to make an impact on the hardwood. This season, she is shooting a league-leading 58 percent from the field and is averaging 10.7 rebounds per game. McGlone occupies the sixth spot on the conference scoring list (15.2 ppg), and still holds the top spot in rebounds per game. The senior is on a bit of a double-double streak, tallying seven in her last nine games. She also recently surpassed Amanda Brown (1997-2001) for second on the WSU all-time rebound list with 778.
MAKING THE SWITCH: Junior Rachel Novotny has added some much-needed support for Hannah McGlone under the basket this season for the Warriors. The transfer from Lake Superiors State has made an immediate impact in this season, starting every game so far and averaging a solid 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. She is shooting 57% from the field. The two post players complement each other nicely and are a force to be reckoned with under the basket.
HOME SWEET HOME: McCown Gymnasium has been kind to the Warrior women in recent years. Currently undefeated on their home court, the Warriors are 41-4 in Winona dating back to the 2014-15 campaign.
