WINONA, Minn. – Taylor Hustad posted her second career double-double Saturday night as Winona State University shot 43 percent in the second half of an 80-66 victory over Viterbo University inside McCown Gymnasium.
Hustad matched her career high of 14 points while pulling down 10 rebounds.
Winona State improves to 2-0 on the young season and is averaging 83 points over those contests – their best offensive output in two games since the 2014-15 season.
Despite the final score, it was a fairly even statistical matchup, save for the turnover category where the Warriors cashed in 19 V-Hawk turnovers into 27 points.
Viterbo would jump out to a quick 9-2 lead after tipoff and used some hot shooting to extend the lead to 15-12 at the end of the first quarter. Early in the second frame, the Warriors used a 12-4 run, highlighted by eight points from Allie Pickrain, to gain a 21-19 lead which they would never relinquish. Pickrain scored 11 of her 14 points in the second quarter as WSU outscored Viterbo in the period, 26-15, to take a 38-30 lead into halftime.
Viterbo started out hot again in the second half and cut the Warriors' lead to four before a three-pointer by freshman Caitlin Riley and a layup by junior Emma Fee stopped the V-Hawks' scoring run. The Warriors shot a game-best 50 percent in the third quarter, including a 3-6 clip from three.
Winona State extended its lead all the way to 17 points in the fourth quarter and coasted to a 14-point victory in the end.
Riley joined Hustad and Pickrain as scoring leaders with 14 apiece – a new career high for the rookie.
After missing both exhibition games, as well as the season opener against Saint Mary's due to injury, freshman Ava Sergio came in and had a very solid collegiate debut with nine points and two boards while shooting 50 percent from the field.
The V-Hawks (42.1%) slightly outshot the Warriors (40.0%), but the home team sank 20 free throws compared to just 12 for the V-Hawks.
The Warriors' balanced roster continues to shine as they managed to get almost half their points (35) from the bench.
Winona State hits the road for its next five games which extends into the start of NSIC play. Next up for the Warriors is a pair of games at the Quincy Subway Classic beginning Friday, November 22 against Maryville University.
