SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State University found itself in a familiar first half hole on Friday night at the Sanford Pentagon as Augustana University led by 17 at the break and was able to withstand the Warriors' second half rally in a 91-78 decision.

WSU falls to 3-5 (0-2 NSIC) with the loss while Augie improves to 7-1 (2-0 NSIC) with its fourth straight win.

Augustana entered the contest ranked third in the NSIC in scoring (84.7 pph). Winona State was able to outscore the Vikings in the second half, 50-46, but it wasn't enough to overcome its first half deficit. After shooting just 34 percent in the opening frame, the Warriors caught fire in the second half and outshot the home team in the contest, 46%-43%.

The biggest difference in the game was the Vikings' rebounding advantage, 51-33. Augustana entered the tilt as the best offensive rebounding team in the league and pulled down 17 offensive boards which translated into 19 second-chance points. The Vikings also showcased their depth with a 34-15 edge in bench points.

Alec Rosner scored a team-best 17 points for WSU in the setback. Kevion Taylor added 14 points, while Caleb Wagner chipped in 13 with a team-high eight rebounds. Andrea Lo Biondo went 3-6 from downtown for 11 points.

The Warriors struggled from beyond the arc over the first 20 minutes of play, knocking down just four of 19 attempts while converting six of 17 chances in their torrid second half. Overall, Winona State shot 54 percent over the final 20 minutes.

Augustana broke the game open with a 17-point run that began at the 13:57 mark of the first half and last until 9:01 when the Warriors finally converted another field goal after missing on their previous eight attempts.

The Vikings led by as many as 24 in the second frame prior to a 23-11 run by Winona State. Lo Biondo sparked the stretch with a three-pointer while Wagner poured in nine points and Rosner capped the run with five consecutive points.

With its lead down to 12, Augustana stymied any plans of a Warrior comeback with six-unanswered points and continued to sink free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

The Vikings got to the charity stripe 17 times and made 14 of their free throws on the night.

The Warriors conclude their current three-game road trip on Saturday evening at Wayne State College with a 5:30 tipoff.