WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University travels to Wayne State College and (RV) Augustana University this weekend to begin a slate of four straight conference road games after playing five of its first eight NSIC contests at home. Tipoff against the Wildcats is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday with Saturday's tilt against the Vikings set for 3:30 p.m.
The Warriors (7-5, 5-3 NSIC) have won four of their last six ballgames after splitting a home doubleheader last weekend. After dropping a 64-51 affair to Minnesota State Moorhead, WSU rebounded with a decisive 58-37 triumph over Northern State. It marked the third time this season Winona State has defeated a conference foe by at least 20 points as the Warriors held the Wolves to a season-low scoring output. WSU held an opponent under 40 points twice last season, including next weekend's opponent – Bemidji State.
The Warriors rank fourth in the NSIC in scoring defense (56.8 ppg) and are second in the league in opponent field goal shooting (35.6%). WSU is only allowing the opposition to shoot 26.8% from downtown which ranks third in the NSIC.
Offensively, the Warriors are averaging 62.8 points/game which ranks 12th in the league and Winona State is still looking to find its rhythm from beyond the arc (27.7%). WSU went just 3-16 from downtown in its loss to Moorhead, but combined to go 15-40 (37.5%) from three-point land in its last two wins.
Seniors Rachel Novotny (11.3 ppg) and Kayla Schaefer (11.0) lead the Warriors in scoring followed by sophomore Allie Pickrain (10.7). Novotny has also pulled down a team-best 7.0 rebounds/game followed by sophomore Taylor Hustad (5.3).
In the Warriors' win against Northern State, four players scored in double digits led by Emily Kieck (13). The sophomore is averaging 8.3 points/game and 1.6 assists/game this season.
Following this road trip, Winona State travels to Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State on January 18-19 before returning home to McCown Gymnasium on January 25-26 against Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls.
Scouting Wayne State
The Wildcats (9-5, 4-4 NSIC) have won four of their last six games and are 6-1 at home this season. Winona State defeated Wayne State earlier this season, 61-56. Wayne State went just 5-26 from downtown in that game. The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 32-21, including wins in three of the last four meetings.
Wayne State ranks fifth in the NSIC in scoring offense (70.9 ppg), but is 11th in scoring defense (68.3 ppg). The Wildcats are third in the league with 14.1 offensive rebounds/game this season. Wayne State pulled down 18 offensive boards in its loss to WSU earlier this year while out-rebounding the Warriors, 43-35.
Erin Norling leads the Wildcats and ranks eighth in the NSIC in scoring (14.7 ppg). Brittany Bongartz (12.7) and Halley Busse (12.4) round out the scoring leaders. Andrea Larson has a team-best 6.6 rebounds/game.
Scouting Augustana
The Vikings (14-3, 6-2 NSIC) host Upper Iowa Friday night ahead of their Saturday meeting with WSU. Augustana was swept on its most recent road trip at Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls. Augie lost those two games by a combined eight points.
The Vikings handed the Warriors a 78-67 loss on their home court earlier this season in which Novotny scored a season-best 21 points on 7-10 shooting. Four Augie players scored in double digits that night led by Shelby Selland (19). Selland ranks seventh in the NSIC in scoring (14.9 ppg). She also leads the Vikings with 8.8 rebounds/game.
Augustana leads the league in scoring offense (81.2 ppg) and ranks eighth in scoring defense (62.4 ppg). The Vikings rank second in field goal shooting (43.9%) and third in three-point shooting (35.8%). Augie went 17-38 (44.7%) from downtown in its win earlier this year at WSU. The Vikings rank third in turnover margin (+5.39) and are first in assist/turnover ratio (1.24).
Augustana leads the all-time series with Winona State, 27-10, including wins in three of the last five matchups.
