SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State University raced out to a 20-point first half lead at Augustana University Saturday night and held on for an impressive 87-67 victory over the Vikings on their home court.

The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Warriors while handing the Vikings just their third conference loss of the season. Winona State improves to 6-10 (3-7 NSIC) while Augustana slips to 11-5 (7-3 NSIC).

Senior Tommy Gathje scored the first five points of the ballgame capped on a three-pointer to stake WSU to a 5-0 edge. The Warriors, who have struggled offensively over the past month, shot 52 percent in the first half and went 10-21 from beyond the arc. Gathje knocked down three triples in the first half of play. On the other end of the court, WSU held the Vikings to a 30 percent clip from the field.

Winona State opened up a 10-point advantage on a three-pointer by Dalante Peyton at the 12:47 mark of the first half. Midway through the frame Gathje knocked down another three which spark a 19-8 WSU run as the Warriors drilled five triples during the span.

Peyton registered six of the Warriors' final nine points of the half as WSU went into the locker room with a 47-27 lead.

The home team looked poised to make it a tight ballgame as the second half unfolded – using an 11-2 that was coupled by four Warrior turnovers. Winona State was able to weather the early flurry and answered with a 13-2 run of its own to regain a 20-point lead on a three-pointer by Kevion Taylor.

The Warriors' hot shooting continued throughout the remainder of the second half as they shot 53.6 percent on the night with a 16-32 effort from downtown. Winona State's offensive success was due in large part to its ball movement as Devin Whitelow dished out seven assists and Caleb Wagner followed with five of his own.

Gathje scored a season-best 21 points to lead five Warriors registering double digits in the scoring column. Fellow senior Mason Domask pulled down a career-high nine rebounds as WSU won the battle on the glass, 37-30. The Vikings had entered the night as one of the best rebounding teams in the conference.

Winona State will be back on the road next weekend with games at Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State on January 18-19.