WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University opens the 2019 portion of its schedule with a weekend doubleheader in McCown Gymnasium against Minnesota State Moorhead and Northern State. Tipoff against the MSUM Dragons is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday with Saturday's tilt against the Wolves slated for 5:30 p.m.
It was an up-and-down ride for the Warriors in 2018 as WSU lost its first two outings of the season before stringing together a four-game winning streak. Since then, the Warriors have lost five of their last six, including two setbacks in overtime.
Both weekend games will be streamed live online, along with live stats, and locally on HBC 25. KQAL will also carry the radio broadcast both days.
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SCOUTING MOORHEAD: The Dragons (9-5, 3-3 NSIC) won two straight to close out 2018, including an impressive 71-69 victory over Northern State for the Wolves only NSIC loss to date. Moorhead touts the league's best scoring offense (88.0 ppg) but ranks just 12th defensively (76.9 ppg). The Dragons are shooting an NSIC-best 51.3% from the field and rank third in three-point shooting (41.9%). However, they rank last in both opponent field goal (47.4%) and opponent three-point shooting (40.5%) which could lead to a high-scoring affair if the Warriors' (43.3% FG/36% 3-PT) scuffling offense can find its rhythm. The Dragons have won four of the last five meetings against the Warriors.
SCOUTING NORTHERN STATE: The Wolves (9-3, 5-1 NSIC) are coming off a National Runner-Up finish in 2017-18, falling in the DII Championship to Ferris State, 71-69. Northern State won the NSIC regular season and postseason titles a year ago. The Wolves haven't lit up the scoreboard this season, ranking 12th in scoring offense (75.9 ppg), but get the job done defensively by ranking third in the league in opponent scoring (65.8 ppg). Northern State does rank second in the NSIC in three-point shooting (42.1%). The Wolves also rank in the top half of the conference in offensive rebounds/game (10.6) and defensive rebounds/game (27.5). The Wolves have won three of the last four meetings and five of the last six meetings overall against WSU.
NEW YEAR, WHO DIS: The Warriors enter the New Year looking to shake off a frustrating end to the 2018 calendar year in which they lost five of their last six games. Winona State did just that during the 2017-18 campaign – posting an 11-3 mark when the calendar flipped to January through the remainder of the regular season. WSU won four straight to begin the New Year last season and went 6-2 in McCown Gymnasium during the second half of the season.
MIX & MATCH: Part of the Warriors' recent struggles have been due to roster turnover and injuries. Seniors Tommy Gathje and Charlie Koontz missed three of Winona State's final four games in 2018 which saw the Warriors average just 64.6 points offensively. Alec Rosner has stepped up as one of three freshmen this season to see significant minutes and matched his season high with 11 points against Mankato and Upper Iowa on the road. Rosner is tied with Koontz for the team lead this year in field goal shooting (50%).
SECOND-YEAR STARS: Sophomores Kevion Taylor (12.8 ppg) and Devin Whitelow (10.8) lead the Warriors in scoring this season. Taylor has tallied four double-doubles and also leads the team in rebounds/game (6.7). Whitelow has dished out a team-best 46 assists and ranks sixth in the NSIC in assists/game (3.8). The point guard leads the league in assist/turnover ratio (3.54) and ranks seventh nationally in that category.
DROUGHT: Winona State has had plenty of looks from beyond the arc this season, ranking second in the league with 333 three-point attempts, but has yet to "make it rain" from downtown. The Warriors are shooting just 36% from three-point range after ranking third in the NSIC last season at 40.4%. WSU has knocked down at least nine three-pointers in six straight games, but has shot below 40% from downtown in five of those contests. Over their last eight games, the Warriors are shooting just 32.9% from beyond the arc. Charlie Koontz (8-16), Dalante Peyton (15-36) and Mason Domask (20-50) are each shooting at least 40% from downtown on the year.
