WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball teams embarks on its final road trip of the regular season with weekend visits to Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State. The Warriors and Cougars tip off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday with the finale against the Mustangs set for 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The Warriors (13-9, 11-7 NSIC) have won three straight entering the weekend and five of their last six overall. WSU is currently fourth in the NSIC South standings with the conference tournament slated to begin in two weeks. Sioux Falls is second in the South with SMSU sitting in seventh.
The Warriors swept Sioux Falls and SMSU earlier this season in Winona.
Winona State used the charity stripe to its advantage in a 71-69 win over SMSU last month. The Mustangs were whistled for 29 personal fouls and the Warriors went 18-for-33 from the free throw line to prevail with the victory. Gabie Doud scored 20 of her season-high 27 points in the second half of that contest.
The Warriors used a big second quarter the following night to secure a 64-50 win over Sioux Falls. Winona State outscored the Cougars, 25-7, in the second frame that included a 25-2 run over the final eight minutes of the first half. Kayla Schaefer led the way with 14 points.
Allie Pickrain (10.4 ppg) leads a quartet of Warriors averaging at least 10 points per game this season. Doud (10.3), Schaefer (10.2), Emily Kieck (10.2) and Rachel Novotny (9.8) round out the scoring leaders. Novotny ranks ninth in the NSIC in rebounds/game (7.2). Sophomore Taylor Hustad is third on the team in rebounding (5.1) behind Doud (5.6).
Pickrain and the Warriors were red-hot from three-point land last weekend, shooting 48.9% (23-47) in their weekend sweep of Minot and UMary. Pickrain's seven three-pointer baskets vs. Minot tied her for fifth all-time in program single-game history while the team's 15 made buckets from downtown tied for third most.
The Warriors' 64.2 ppg offensively ranks 13th in the league, while the stout Warrior defense ranks fourth at 59.0 ppg. WSU also ranks fourth in the NSIC in rebounding defense (33.5).
Following the road trip, the Warriors return to McCown Gymnasium to conclude the regular season with games against CSP and Mankato on Feb. 22-23. The NSIC Tournament is set to begin on Wednesday, Feb. 27 with seeds and location yet to be determined.
Scouting Sioux Falls
The Cougars (17-7, 12-6 NSIC) carry a four-game winning streak into the weekend and are 9-2 at home this season. Sioux Falls most recent victory was a 77-74 road win over (RV) Minnesota State Moorhead.
Winona State leads the all-time series, 9-6.
Sioux Falls has the third-best scoring offense (71.8 ppg) and scoring defense (58.5) in the NSIC this year. The Cougars lead the league with a +6.42 turnover/assist margin and have forced the second-most opponent turnovers in the conference (436).
Kaley Hummel ranks seventh in the NSIC in scoring average (15.0) and shooting (47.1%), while knocking down 2.3 three-pointers/game. The Warriors held Hummel to just six points in their meeting earlier this year. Mariah Szymanski (9.8 ppg) and Jessie Geer (8.1) round out the scoring leaders.
Scouting SMSU
The Mustangs (11-12, 8-10 NSIC) have dropped two straight and will host Upper Iowa on Friday prior to welcoming the Warriors to Marshall. SMSU leads the all-time series, 44-38.
SMSU ranks fifth in the league in scoring average (70.2 ppg), but is 12th in scoring defense (69.7). Despite their lofting scoring average, the Mustangs are shooting just 38.7% from the field and 31.5% from downtown on the season. SMSU has made the most of its second-chance opportunities and ranks fifth in offensive rebounds/game (11.7).
Caleigh Rodning leads the team and ranks fifth in the league in scoring (13.4 ppg), while also ranking 12th in the league in rebounds/game (6.9). Abuk Akoi ranks fifth in the NSIC in blocked shots/game (1.8).
