WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball team welcomes Viterbo University to McCown Gymnasium Saturday night for a 6 p.m. tipoff as the Warriors conclude a brief two-game homestand to begin the 2019-20 season.
The two teams match up for the first time since an 89-33 Warrior thumping over the V-Hawks in 2015. WSU is coming off a decisive home win over Saint Mary's last weekend when the Warriors shot 43% from the field while holding the Cardinals to just a 30% clip.
The Warriors next six games will be played on the road until they return home for NSIC action on December 13th to begin a three-game homestand prior to Christmas break.
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SCOUTING VITERBO: The V-Hawks are off to a 2-3 start on the year and are coming off a 65-40 win over DIII Martin Luther on Tuesday. Two of Viterbo's losses came in mid-October against Western Ontario and the University of Guelph, both games taking place in Ontario, Canada. The V-Hawks, who are NAIA DII, were picked to finish 5th in the North Star Athletic Association preseason poll. The V-Hawks are led by second-year head coach Lionel Jones, who led the V-Hawks to a 9-19 record in 2018-19, their best record since 2012-13. Madison Lindauer paces the Viterbo offense with 11.5 ppg, followed by seniors Alysa Nilssen (11.4) and Madison Doerr (10.8). As a team, the V-Hawks are averaging 60.5 ppg on 34% shooting from the field.
ABOUT LAST YEAR: The Warriors went 15-13 (12-10 NSIC) a year ago, reaching at least the second round of the NSIC Tournament for the fifth straight season. Winona State ranked 13th in the league in scoring (64.1 ppg) during the 2018-19 season and was sixth in scoring defense (60.7). The Warriors ranked 10th in field goal percentage (40.8%) and 12th from beyond the arc (32.3%). WSU was one of the top free throw shooting teams with a 74.3% mark.
PRESEASON PICK: Winona State finished fourth in the NSIC South last season and has been tabbed to finish in the same spot in 2019-20 according to the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Warriors were voted to finish eighth in this year's overall conference race. MSU Moorhead (NSIC North) has been picked to finish first overall while Sioux Falls was selected second overall and first in the South.
BALANCED DIET: Winona State's roster has a solid balance of experienced veterans and promising newcomers which should provide a deep balance in scoring this season. That was shown in the Warriors' season-opener against Saint Mary's when 10 of 11 players scored in the victory, and every player to step on the court played at least eight minutes. Five Warriors scored in double digits, led by career highs from both junior Emma Fee (15) and sophomore Sydney Lodermeier (13). Fee would finish the game with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds – the first of her career.
SHARING IS CARING: The Warriors tallied 18 assists as a team last weekend against Saint Mary's, which is eight more than their average of 10 APG last season. Junior Emily Kieck equaled her season high from last season with six assists, and junior Allie Pickrain showcased her floor general capabilities with three assists. Although it is just one game, the Warriors currently rank third in the NSIC and 26th in the nation in assists per game.
ROAD TRIP: After Saturday's matchup, the Warriors hit the road next weekend to take on their first NCAA DII foes of the season in Maryville and Quincy University at the Quincy Subway Classic in Illinois. Winona State has gone 3-1 over the previous two seasons at the Quincy Subway Classic with their lone loss coming in overtime fashion to Truman State last year. Following that trip, Winona State begins its conference slate with three straight road games.
