WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University Warriors will end the decade against the Peacocks of Upper Iowa on Saturday afternoon inside McCown Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Warriors will look to shake off a two-game skid and complete a season sweep over UIU after a 75-61 victory in Fayette earlier this year. WSU is 31-2 overall against the Peacocks and haven't suffered a setback in the series since a 66-58 defeat back on Nov. 30, 2013. The Warriors are coming off two tough losses to Minnesota State and Concordia St. Paul this past weekend.
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SCOUTING UIU: The Peacocks currently sit at 2-9 overall (1-4 NSIC) and are coming off a solid 87-68 non-conference victory over DIII North Central University (MN). The Peacocks have struggled on the offensive end of the court, shooting just 36.8% from the field as a team and rank dead last in the NSIC with 57.5 ppg. Pressure on the ball will be key for the Warriors, as Upper Iowa turns the ball over 18.8 times a game. Winona State is averaging 15.4 opponent turnovers/game. The Peacocks are led in scoring by freshman Jessica Musgrave (16.0) and in assists by senior Marina Peinado (2.5).
RIGHTING THE SHIP: The Warriors started the season red hot, winning their first seven games, including five away from McCown, but have since lost two in a row at home. Winona State has had a knack for exciting fourth quarter comebacks this season, but they couldn't keep up the magic as they made late charges in both games last weekend, but fell by a combined 19 points. A win against Upper Iowa would give the Warriors a 4-2 record in conference and put them in a great position heading into the second half of the season.
BRINGING THE HEAT: The Warriors have been on fire from three this season. WSU is tied for second in the NSIC at 8.6 threes per game and have made 77 total buckets from downtown on the year. Freshman Caitlin Riley has been key to the Warriors success behind the arc, as she leads the NSIC and ranks 31st in the nation in three-point percentage (45.3).
BREAKOUT SEASON: After registering 4.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a sophomore, junior Taylor Hustad is having a stellar year, averaging a career-best 11.7 ppg and a NSIC-best 9.4 rpg. Hustad's rebounds per game rank 48th in the nation, while her five double-doubles are tied for 19th in all of Division II hoops. Hustad's rebounding average would rank her fifth in Winona State history if the season were to end today.
SIBLING RIVALRY: Sophomore forward Sydney Lodermeier is also having a standout season for the Warriors, starting every game while averaging a career-best 10.2 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field and a 41.7% clip from beyond the arc. Lodermeier is coming off a career-high 20 points against Concordia-St. Paul in a game where she shot 6-9 from the field and hit a career-best six of her seven free throw attempts. Lodermeier's sister, Lexie Lodermeier, is currently a freshman at Upper Iowa and has started in seven of the team's 11 games. Sydney will look to bring bragging rights home for Christmas with a second win over her sister and the Peacocks.
