WINONA, MINN. – The Winona State University women's basketball team extended their winning streak to eight straight on Saturday evening in McCown Gymnasium with a 59-51 victory over the University of Sioux Falls, 59-51.
The Cougars prevailed on their home court thanks to a buzzer-beater in their last meeting earlier this season, but this time around the Warriors prevailed to split the season series with USF.
WSU opened up a big first quarter lead, and when Sioux Falls threatened in the third quarter, senior Hannah McGlone took over for the Warriors in the fourth.
McGlone tallied her 9th double-double of the season, scoring 11 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter. She also led the team with 14 rebounds.
A steady dose of three-pointers built Winona State a sizable early lead as the Warriors knocked down each of its four shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter. To compliment that, the Warriors utilized the post position to cement a 22-12 first-quarter lead.
Heading into the break, WSU held a seven-point lead on the Cougars. The Warriors held USF to 29 percent shooting from the field while Winona knocked down 50 percent of their field goals and was 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Winona State was able to build a game high 13-point lead in the third quarter, but it was quickly cut to three points as Sioux Falls went on a 10-to-0 run in the final 3:19 of the frame.
McGlone capitalized on a three-point play opportunity early in the fourth quarter to re-gain the momentum for the home team which propelled Winona State to pad its lead late and close out the victory.
Liz Evenocheck, Kayla Schaefer and Allie Pickrain contributed eight points apiece for WSU while Rachel Novotny helped out with 10 rebounds.
As a team, the Warriors shot 44 percent from the field and knocked down 5-of-10 from the three-point line. WSU held Sioux Falls to 33 percent shooting and 31 percent from three.
Winona State improves to 13-1 (9-1 NSIC) with the triumph and sends Sioux Falls to a 9-5 (6-4 NSIC) record.
The Warriors look to extend their season-best win streak to nine in a row next weekend as they host Minnesota Duluth next Friday at 6 p.m.
