SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 10 Augustana University's defensive pressure overwhelmed Winona State University on Tuesday night as the Vikings prevailed victorious, 64-45, in the 2018 NSIC postseason championship game.
Having already knocked off regionally-ranked Northern State in the tournament quarterfinals, the Warriors were looking to punch a ticket to the NCAA Regionals for the second time in three years while winning their first NSIC postseason crown since 2011.
However, the hostile environment of the Sanford Pentagon, in Augustana's hometown, and the Vikings' swarming defense which forced the Warriors into 18 turnovers was too much for Winona State to overcome.
The Vikings led wire-to-wire in the title tilt, racing out to an 8-0 lead in the opening quarter. The Warriors quickly dug out of the early hole though and knotted the score at eight-all with points on their next three possessions. Augustana responded with another extended run, this time outscoring Winona, 12-2, over the next six minutes to end the quarter with a 20-10 advantage.
Augustana extended its lead to 12 points midway through the second quarter, but the Warriors rallied again and cut their deficit to 29-24 on a three-pointer by Allie Pickrain. Gabie Doud scored five points of her own, including a bucket from downtown, during the WSU run. However, Pickrain's three-pointer at the 4:31 mark stood as the Warriors' final points of the second quarter while the Vikings raced into halftime with a 37-24 lead.
Neither side shot the ball particularly well in the first half, both being held to under 40 percent, but the volume of shots for Augustana paid dividends. The Vikings out-rebounded Winona in the first half, 28-16, including 11 offensive boards. The Vikings also recorded four blocked shots over the first two quarters.
Augustana's defensive pressure ramped up after the break, resulting in 12 of Winona's 18 turnovers over the final two quarters. Meanwhile, the Vikings manufactured a 10-3 run to build a 20-point lead at the 6:45 mark of the third quarter.
The Vikings' full-court pressure continued into the final quarter as Winona was held to just five points and Augustana secured the tournament title.
Doud (12) and Liz Evenocheck (11) led Winona State in the scoring column.
Senior Hannah McGlone exited the floor to with 1:29 remaining to a rousing ovation from the Warrior faithful. The Streamwood, Illinois native concludes her historic Winona State career as the all-time leader in rebounds (949) and 16th on the all-time scoring list with 1,071 points.
Following the conclusion of the game, Pickrain and Doud were selected to the NSIC All-Tournament Team for their performances in this year's playoffs.
Winona State's seasons ends with a record of 17-13. The young Warriors, who graduate only McGlone, gained invaluable postseason experience with their run to the championship game and put the conference on notice for years to come.
