Winona State finished off 2018 on a high note with a convincing victory over Upper Iowa last Sunday in Fayette, 73-45. The Warriors jump right into the New Year, hosting MSU-Moorhead (10-2, 6-0 NSIC) and Northern State (5-7, 2-4 NSIC) in McCown Gymnasium this weekend. WSU enters Friday's matchup with the Dragons winning three of their last four matchups and look to snap MSUM's current eight-game winning streak. Saturday, the Warriors will face off against the Wolves who concluded 2018 with a win over Metro State-Denver, a team the Warriors lost a close contest to earlier this season.
 
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SCOUTING THE DRAGONS: MSU-Moorhead currently sits atop the NSIC North standing with a 10-2 (6-0 NSIC) record. The Dragons have outscored their opponents by an average of 11 points this season due to the success of Kiley Borowicz who commands the offensive attack with 14.9 points per game this year. In a supporting role, forward Megan Hintz owns the low post shooting 53% from the field. Hintz also leads the NSIC in total rebounds (125). The Dragon defense has held opponents to just 54.8 points per game and averages 6.4 takeaways/game. 
 
SCOUTING THE WOLVES: Northern State enters the weekend in the sixth spot in the NSIC North. The Wolves have had a back and forth season thus far, unable to string more than two wins together. NSU has had some scoring struggles this season averaging just above the league minimum (61.1 ppg). Defensively, the Wolves hold an +8.7 rebounding margin over their opponents, holding teams to just 29.8 rebounds/game which is best in the NSIC. Brianna Kussler leads NSU in both scoring (13.9 ppg) and rebounds (9.8 rpg) in just nine games played.
 
CRASHING THE GLASS: The Warriors production on the glass has slowed as of late, but one thing that has stayed consistent is who has consistently pulled down the boards. Rachel Novotny (67 total rebounds) and Taylor Hustad (54) continue to assert their dominance under the basket. Novotny (41) continues to lead WSU on the defensive glass while Kayla Schaefer(34) has emerged to be an additional force on the defensive end of the ball. Hustad has settled into her role nicely this season as the sophomore is averaging 5.4 rebounds/contest.  
 
THE WINNING FORMULA: Despite shooting just 28% from beyond the arc thus far this season, the Warriors have found success from three-point land. In four of its six victories this season, WSU has outshot their opponent from downtown – showing that when they find their rhythm, the Warriors are tough to beat. On the opposite side of the ball, the Warriors are holding opponents to just 27% from beyond the arc which is third-best in the NSIC.
 
FRESH FACE: Freshman Sydney Lodermeier has emerged as Winona State's go-to rookie off the bench. The Goodhue, Minnesota native has made an appearance in all 10 games this season averaging 11.4 minutes. Lodermeier's role has primarily been to distribute the ball to the Warrior upperclassmen. She has given Winona State valuable minutes off the bench while dishing out eight assists this year.