WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball team embarks on its first road trip of the regular season this weekend for a pair of games at the Quincy University Subway Classic. The Warriors face Maryville University on Friday at 5 p.m. followed by a Saturday tilt against the host Hawks at 3 p.m.
This marks Winona State's fourth consecutive season playing at the Classic where the Warriors have gone 5-1 over the past three years with their lone setback coming last season to Truman State in overtime, 59-56.
Winona State (2-0) has gotten off to a strong start on the year with solid wins over Saint Mary's and Viterbo. The Warriors' 83.0 ppg currently ranks first in the NSIC and 29th in the nation. WSU has shot the ball well so far, amassing a 41 percent clip from the field and a 34 percent mark from downtown.
Juniors Taylor Hustad (13.0 ppg) and Allie Pickrain (12.5) lead a balanced scoring attack which consists of seven Warriors averaging eight points or more.
Junior Emily Kieck has been extremely efficient with the ball to start the season, as her 5.0 assists/game rank first in the NSIC and her 10.0 assist to turnover ratio currently ranks second in the country.
Freshman Caitlin Riley (11.0 ppg) and Ava Sergio (9.0) have been great additions to the Warrior roster which features a great balance of youth and experience. Riley's six three pointers rank second on the team while Sergio's low post play will be vital to the Warrior's success this season.
Following the weekend tournament, the Warriors travel to Upper Iowa University a week from Saturday for their first conference tilt of the season. In total, Winona State will play five consecutive road games before returning to McCown Gymnasium on Friday, December 13.
Scouting Maryville
Maryville University enters Friday's matchup with a 2-1 record having just defeated Northwest Missouri State last Sunday, 68-57. The Saints are currently averaging 63.7 ppg on 37.2 percent shooting while making nearly seven three-pointers per game. Maryville is led in scoring by the duo of Mary Barton (19 ppg) and Abby Monis (14). Defensively, the Saints have surrendered 69 ppg, a number which was inflated by a 94-50 loss to No. 3 Grand Valley State.
Winona State defeated Maryville at the Quincy Classic three years ago, 61-59.
Scouting Quincy
The Quincy Hawks currently sit at 1-2 and are coming off a dominant 95-64 win over NCAA DIII Iowa Wesleyan. The Hawks' two losses have come by a combined nine points. Quincy also recorded an exhibition win over DI Southern Illinois-Edwardsville earlier this season.
Quincy averages 79.3 ppg on 44.8 percent shooting and a 31.4 percent clip from downtown. The Hawks are a very balanced team and have four players in double figures scoring, led by Aleksandra Petrovic (13.3 ppg) and Maddie Spagnola (12.5).
Winona State has defeated Quincy in each of their last three meetings at the Classic.
