WINONA, Minn. – Following a six-game homestand, including five contests on its home court, Winona State University hits the road for the first time in over a month this weekend. The Warriors close the 2018 calendar year with four road games beginning at Minnesota State Mankato on Friday at 7:30 p.m. WSU then travels to Concordia, St. Paul Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. tip.
Next week, the Warriors travel to Michigan Tech for their final non-conference tilt of the season on Wednesday, December 19, and finally a game at Upper Iowa on Sunday, December 30 before returning to McCown Gymnasium.
After stringing together a four-game winning streak, WSU enters this weekend on a two-game skid. The Warriors suffered home losses to Augustana University, 88-80, and Wayne State, 82-80 (OT), last weekend. Winona State led in the second half of both ballgames before falling short at the final whistle.
Kevion Taylor leads WSU in scoring (12.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.6). The sophomore has recorded three double-doubles this year and is coming off a season-high 24 points against Wayne State. Caleb Wagner (10.8), Devin Whitelow (9.6), Mason Domask (8.9), Tommy Gathje (8.6) and Charlie Koontz (8.0) round out the scoring leaders.
Whitelow leads the team and ranks sixth in the NSIC in assists/game (4.4). The sophomore's 4.4 assist/turnover ratio is the best in the league and ranks fifth nationally. Whitelow dished out 12 assists in the Warriors loss to Wayne State – the most by a WSU player since November 22, 2008 (Ben Fisher, 12).
Dalante Peyton ranks fifth in the league in steals/game (1.6) and is
Winona State ranks sixth in the conference in scoring defense (67.8 ppg). The Warriors' 45.9 field goal percentage ranks 12th in the NSIC and has been pulled down early this season as the team still searches for consistency from three-point range (37.5%). The Warriors have had success at the charity stripe, ranking second in the NSIC in free throw shooting (79.5%).
Scouting Mankato
The Mavericks (6-2, 3-0 NSIC) have won three straight with victories over CSP, SMSU and Sioux Falls (OT). Minnesota State leads the all-time series with WSU, 89-57, with the teams splitting their last eight meetings.
Mankato ranks seventh in the NSIC in scoring offense (82.6 ppg) and 12th in scoring defense (78.0). The Mavericks rank 11th in the league in field goal shooting (46.3%).
Carlos Anderson leads the team and ranks 10th in the conference in scoring (16.9 ppg). Kevin Krieger is averaging 15.1 ppg and ranks fourth in the NSIC in rebounding (9.3). Cameron Kirksey (15.0) and Juwan McCloud (12.4) round out the scoring leaders.
Scouting CSP
The Golden Bears (4-4, 0-3 NSIC) have lost four straight and host Upper Iowa before welcoming the Warriors to town on Saturday. WSU leads the all-time series over CSP, 48-7, including three straight victories.
Despite their .500 record, the Golden Bears rank third in the NSIC in scoring offense (87.8 ppg), but are last in the league in scoring defense (86.3 ppg). CSP ranks fifth in field goal shooting (49.7%) and is sixth from beyond the arc (40.5%). The Golden Bears have struggled from the free throw line at a clip of 66.9 percent. CSP does own the best assist/turnover ratio in the league (1.48).
Isaiah McKay (22.3 ppg) and Bryndan Matthews (22.1) rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in scoring in the NSIC. Matthews' 9.6 rebounds/game rank third in the conference as he also shots a league-best 60.6 percent from the field.
