WINONA, Minn. – In a matchup of crosstown foes, Winona State University and Saint Mary's University began their respective 2019-20 seasons with the home team Warriors cruising to an 86-53 victory inside McCown Gymnasium on Saturday night.

Winona State center Emma Fee posted the first double-double of her career with new highs in points (15) and rebounds (11). The junior was one of five Warriors to record double digits in the scoring column.  

Winona State was red-hot out of the gate, shooting 57 percent from the field, and close the first quarter on a 9-2 run to claim a 25-15 advantage over the Cardinals. Sophomore forward Sydney Lodermeier was a force as she scored seven of 13 points in the opening quarter. 

The Cardinals started to make a run in the middle of the second quarter, but three pointers from junior guards Emily Kieck and Allie Pickrain quickly snuffed out the Cardinals' momentum. The Warriors went into the break with a 47-33 lead while shooting a blistering 10-22 from three-point land.

The second half belonged to junior forward Taylor Hustad. Sidelined with foul trouble in the first half, Hustad made the most of her second half minutes, pouring in 12 points to go along with a steal and five rebounds.

The Warrior defense held the undersized Cardinals to just 19-62 (30.6%) shooting for the game, including a 0-14 performance in the fourth quarter. 

Freshman Caitlin Riley made the most of her collegiate debut as she was a spark off the bench with eight points, three rebounds and an assist.

The 86 points put up by the Warriors is their highest point total in a game since a 101-97 quadruple overtime loss to MSU Moorhead during the 2017-2018 season.

As a team, the Warriors shot 32-74 (43.2%) from the field and 12-34 (35.3%) from three.  Turnovers were the difference in the game, as the Warriors scored 28 points off 20 SMU turnovers, compared to just 10 points off 11 WSU turnovers for the Cardinals. 

The Warriors return to action next Saturday on their home court against Viterbo University.