WINONA, Minn. – Senior Caleb Wagner put Winona State University on his back in the second half of Saturday afternoon's game inside McCown Gymnasium as the Warriors bested Bethany Lutheran College in a shootout, 96-83. Wagner scored 28 of his career-high 35 points in the second half.

The senior shooting guard went 14-21 from the field and 4-6 from beyond the arc while chipping in seven rebounds. Wagner's previous career high stood at 24 points which he reached three times last season.

It was also a big day for junior Kevion Taylor who netted at least 25 points (26) for the second time in three contests while adding nine rebounds and a team-high six assists. Taylor led WSU with 18 points in the first half, including a buzzer-beater before the break from downtown to knot the halftime score at 43-43.

The Warriors erased a 15-point deficit in the first half, trailing 32-17 at the 6:32 mark with Taylor scoring 16 of his 18 opening-half points over the final six minutes of action.

A fast-paced second half ensued as the teams raced each other up and down the court for the duration and traded the lead eight times with Winona State pulling in front for good on a pair of free throws by Taylor. The junior forward went 10-10 from the charity stripe in the tilt.

The game featured 27 fast-break points and 86 combined points in the paint. Along with their efficiency at the free throw line, the Warriors capitalized on 17 Bethan Lutheran turnovers which translated into 23 points for the home team.

Overall, the Warriors shot 45.3 percent from the field and 44 percent from beyond the arc – both season highs.

Andrea Lo Biondo matched his season high with 11 rebounds as Winona State edged Bethany Lutheran on the glass, 37-36.

The Warriors wrap up their current home-game homestand, and the non-conference potion of their schedule, on Tuesday as Viterbo University travels to Winona for a 7 p.m. affair.