SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls used an explosive third quarter to wipe out an eight-point Winona State University halftime lead and hold on for a 70-68 victory on its home court Friday night to snap the Warriors' three-game win streak and hold onto positioning in the NSIC South standings.

Winona State falls to 13-10 (11-8 NSIC) while Sioux Falls improves to 18-7 (13-6 NSIC) with the comeback win.

The Cougars outscored the Warriors in the third quarter, 28-13, which proved to be the difference in the game.

WSU shot 50 percent from beyond the arc in the first half with a 3-for-6 effort from Allie Pickrain to carry a 34-26 lead into the break. Pickrain scored 11 of her team-best 20 points in the first half of play. Senior Rachel Novotny also had a big first half with 15 points and finished the night with 19 in the scoring column.

The Warriors scuffled from the field in the second half, shooting just 37.8% while going 4-for-14 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Cougars shot nearly 55% from the field and knocked down 6-of-14 attempts from downtown to catapult in front and ultimately outlast Winona State.

Novotny and Pickrain each knocked down buckets early in the fateful third frame to give the Warriors a 10-point lead on both occasions. After the Cougars knotted the score at 45-all at the 4:12 mark of the quarter, Julia Silloway's jumper put WSU back in front once more, but the Warriors were held without a field goal for the remainder of the period as Sioux Falls took a 54-47 lead into the fourth.

The Warriors never led again in the contest, but despite trailing by as many as 15 points in the final quarter, Winona State continued to battle. A layup by Taylor Hustad at the 6:32 mark of the frame sparked a 14-3 Warriors run. A layup by Emily Kieck slashed the Cougar lead to 66-65 with 1:58 remaining, but the home team knocked down a three-pointer two possessions later to deny Winona State's rally.

Kieck would answer with a three-pointer of her own on the other end with 22 ticks left on the clock before the home team sealed the win at the free throw line.

Facing one of the most aggressive defenses in the league, the Warriors held their own with only eight turnovers while forcing nine by Sioux Falls.

Novotny finished the tilt with 14 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the year.

The Warriors wrap up their final road trip of the regular season at Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday at 4 p.m.