WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University returns to McCown Gymnasium for the final weekend of the 2017-18 season against a pair of tough NSIC South opponents in No. 10 Augustana University and Wayne State.
Augustana and Wayne State are both ranked regionally entering the weekend.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. on Friday night versus the Vikings, followed by a 4 p.m. tilt against the Wildcats on Saturday. Hannah McGlone will be honored after Saturday's contest for Senior Night.
The Warriors seek redemption against both teams after suffering road losses earlier this year as part of their current 10-game skid. A win this weekend for WSU would give the Warriors a chance at hosting a first round NSIC playoff game as the final seedings shake out this weekend.
Both weekend games will be broadcast live on HBC25, Stretch Internet and KQAL Radio.
NOTES
ROAD TRIP CATCH UP: The Warriors losing streak was extended last weekend as they went on the road to face Concordia St. Paul and Minnesota State. Friday night, the Golden Bears went wire-to-wire in the 59-49 victory over WSU. Winona State's shooting woes caught up to them again as they shot below 40 percent for the sixth time in the nine-game skid. Saturday, Minnesota State scored a season high 90 points on the Warriors and handed them their 10th straight loss. Winona State hung with the Mavericks over the first three quarters of the game, but as MSU went on an 18-6 run to start the final frame to close out the victory.
SENIOR SEND OFF: Hannah McGlone will play her last two regular season games as a Warrior this weekend. The four-year starter has played in 117 games for the Warriors, shot 54 percent from the field and has averaged 8.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game over her career. McGlone recently surpassed the 1,000-point mark and is on the cusp of another major milestone. Currently with 894 rebounds, she is 35 boards away from breaking Lisa Parsons all-time record of 928. She currently sits second in the NSIC in field goal percentage (54), has consistently been in the top 10 in scoring all season (14 ppg), and still holds the top spot in rebounds per game (10.2).
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS: Augustana dropped from number five to number 10 in the national poll this past week with a loss to Sioux Falls this past weekend, but the Vikings remain atop the NSIC South (22-2, 18-2 NSIC) despite the loss. As the first regional rankings came out this week, Augie is sitting in fourth and is one of four teams from the NSIC to make the top 10 in the central region. The O'Farrell sisters and Shelby Selland lead the Vikings, all averaging over 10 points per game. Logan O'Farrell leads the NSIC in steals with 77 on the year, and her sister Presley isn't far behind her in fifth with 43.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS: Wayne State comes into Saturday's matchup with the Warriors as the hottest team in the NSIC South. The Wildcats have won 10 of their 12 games in 2018 and are currently on an eight-game winning streak heading into the weekend. This impressive stretch of games has rewarded the Wildcats with the 10th spot in the first central region poll. Paige Ballinger has been a big part of the Wildcats success. She is the reigning NSIC South Player of the Week after averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds against Southwest and Sioux Falls. Another Wildcat to watch out for is Maggie Schulte who is second on the team in scoring (11 ppg) and can knock down the three at a 46 percent clip.
HOME SWEET HOME: Winona State needs to leverage their success on their home court this weekend as they enter into the playoffs. Since the 2014-15 season, the Winona State is 46-8 in McCown Gymnasium and would love to end the 2017-18 season on a good note at home.
