WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University forced 11 Minnesota State University Moorhead turnovers Friday night in McCown Gymnasium, but it was the Warriors who had a sloppy finish to a tightly-contested NSIC battle to ring in the New Year in a 68-65 setback.

Winona State committed just three turnovers on the evening, and held onto the ball on its final possession, but it wasn't as coach Todd Eisner drew it up coming out of a timeout with 24 seconds remaining in the game. The Warriors inbounded the ball cleanly and got into their offense before Caleb Wagner was tripped up and forced to call another timeout with 10 seconds left. The Dragon defense smothered the Warriors out of that break which ultimately led to Tommy Gathje forcing up a desperation three-point attempt as time expired that allowed Moorhead to escape with the road victory.

After shooting just 29 percent from the field in the first half and going 2-11 from downtown, Winona State's defense kept the Dragons at bay as the Warriors faced a 31-27 halftime deficit. WSU proceeded to come out of the locker room red hot on a 14-3 run to take a 42-34 lead at the first media timeout.

Wagner knocked down a three-pointer out of halftime to cut the Dragon lead to one point and eventually gave the home team a 34-33 edge on a layup at the 16:51 mark. Kevion Taylor scored five of the Warriors' next eight points with Alec Rosner also connecting from beyond the arc.

With 11:38 left in the second half, Dalante Peyton converted from downtown, and Taylor was good for three with 8:23 left to play to secure a 54-47 WSU advantage. However, the Warriors would misfire of their final six attempts from beyond the arc, including the final shot, as Winona State went just 6-23 from downtown in the loss.

Following Taylor's bucket, the Dragons went on a nine-point run as the game remainder a one-possession affair over the final seven minutes of action. The teams traded the lead five times to the finish line before Moorhead ultimately prevailed.

Taylor and Wagner paced Winona State with 19 points apiece. Taylor recorded a team-best eight rebounds while Wagner chipped in three assists.

The Warriors shot a season-low 33 percent from the field in defeat, registering below 40 percent for the third straight game. WSU was stymied by 10 blocks shots from the Dragons.

Winona State falls to 5-8 (2-5 NSIC) with its third straight loss while Moorhead improves to 10-5 (4-3 NSIC).

The Warriors conclude their weekend homestand against Northern State University Saturday at 5:30 p.m.