WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University men's basketball team carries a three-game winning streak into its first conference game of the season on Saturday afternoon against Upper Iowa University. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.
The Warriors swept the season series from the Peacocks last year and have won four of the last five meetings overall. WSU is currently enjoying a stretch of four straight games in McCown Gymnasium with two more home NSIC contests next weekend.
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SCOUTING UIU: The Peacocks (3-2), like the Warriors, have won three straight non-conference games after suffering losses to Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State to begin the season. Upper Iowa is averaging 80.8 ppg through five outings, but ranks second-to-last in the NSIC in scoring defense (81.6 ppg). Four Peacocks are averaging double-figures in scoring led by Joe Smoldt (16.4 ppg). Chris Olson, the reigning NSIC South Player of the Week, is averaging 12.0 ppg after averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists over two wins last week. Jareese Williams is averaging 14.8 ppg this season and is shooting 46 percent (13-28) from beyond the arc. Munachiso Okonkwo (11.5 ppg) leads the team with 6.3 rebounds/game.
BALANCED ATTACK: All 11 WSU players in Tuesday's 83-66 win over Viterbo registered at least two points in the box score. Sophomore Devin Whitelow recorded a season-best 17 points followed by senior Mason Domask (12). Freshman Alec Rosner chipped in a career-best 10 points and six rebounds off the Warrior bench.
LOCKDOWN D: The Warriors enter Saturday's tilt ranked sixth in the NSIC in scoring defense (64.4 ppg). Over its last three games, WSU has allowed just 57.6 ppg which would rank second in the league. During that stretch, the Warriors limited Waldorf to just nine second-half points in a game earlier this month. Winona State ranked fourth in the conference last season in scoring defense (72.5 ppg).
MAKE IT RAIN: Winona State uncorked 41 three-point attempts – the Warriors' most on record in over five seasons. WSU enters the weekend ranked 10th in the NSIC in three-point shooting (38.6%). The Warriors knocked down a season-high 16 three-pointers vs. Waldorf and shot a season-best 62 percent (13-21) from downtown at Saint Mary's. Winona State ranked third in the NSIC from beyond the arch in 2017-18 by shooting 40 percent.
BREAKOUT CAMPAIGN: Point guard Caleb Wagner burst onto the scene a year ago by shooting 48 percent from downtown – the sixth-best mark in program single-season history. Wagner had two games where he dished out 11 assists which are tied for 15th most in single-game history. He averaged 12.2 ppg, led the team with 4.7 assists/game and ranked sixth in the NSIC in total assists (135). Wagner's 3.0 assist/turnover ratio last year ranked 14th in the country.
BALL CONTROL: The Warriors enter Saturday's tilt ranked third in the NSIC in assist/turnover ratio (1.62) and fourth in turnover margin (+4.20). Winona State has committed just 45 turnovers through five games while forcing 66 opponent miscues. The Warriors have dished out 73 total assists and their 14.6 assist/game average ranks ninth in the league.
SEASON OF GIVING: Winona State is shooting a league-best 82.1 percent (78-95) from the charity stripe this season. Kevion Taylor (11 attempts), Mason Domask (7) and Nick Klug (5) are each perfect on the year from the free throw line. Max Miller is shooting 83 percent with a team-high 18 attempts. The Warriors got to the free throw line 35 times at Saint Mary's earlier this month, and went 22-23 earlier this week vs. Viterbo.
