WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball team shot the lights out of McCown Gymnasium Friday night in a rout of Minot State University, 84-46. Allie Pickrain drilled a career-best seven three-pointers as the Warriors stuffed the nets with 15 buckets from beyond the arc.
Pickrain etched herself in a fifth-place tie in program history with the seven three-pointers made while WSU's 15 total is tied for third most all-time with its most converted threes since November 17, 2002.
The sophomore guard sank each of her first three-point attempts on the night as the Warriors looked unstoppable early from inside and outside the perimeter. WSU leveraged a significant size advantage in the post, scoring 14 points in the paint in the first quarter alone while Pickrain roamed the arc. Kayla Schaefer opened the scoring on a jumper in the lane, followed by a pair of buckets down low from Taylor Hustad that gave the Warriors the lead for the duration of the contest.
Winona State shot 77 percent from the field in the first quarter to open up a 14-point lead.
Gabie Doud joined the scoring spree in the second quarter, adding six points in the frame including a three-pointer at the end of the half to send the Warriors into the locker room with a 43-23 advantage.
Winona State continued to heat up from beyond the arc in the second half by knocking down six more triples in the third period. Doud and Julia Silloway led the charge with two apiece from downtown while Pickrain and Jenna Bruss added one each. The Beavers put together a brief six-point run early in the third quarter to cut their deficit to 14 points before Pickrain and Silloway connected from long range to halt any momentum by Minot.
Pickrain's seventh and final three-pointer of the night opened the fourth quarter as the Warrior lead swelled to 30 points. A three-pointer by Sydney Lodermeier was the final of the tilt for WSU which made it a 40-point game before a final Beaver basket. While they were clicking on offense, the Warrior defense held Minot to just three field goals in the frame.
Winona State shot a season-high 53 percent from the field and 54 percent from beyond the arc in the ballgame.
The Warrior bench chipped in 39 points collectively as 10 different players tallied the score column. WSU forced 16 Minot turnovers which the Warriors converted into 17 points offensively. The Warriors also dominated the glass with a 36-25 rebounding edge while pulling down 13 offensive boards.
Hustad led the way with seven rebounds, including four offensively, and added eight points. Lodermeier scored all eight of her points in the fourth quarter. Fellow freshman Jennah Johnson (8) and Bruss (7) also contributed in the blowout.
Winona State improves to 12-9 (10-7 NSIC) with its fourth straight home victory while Minot State falls to 10-13 (5-12 NSIC).
The Warriors are back in action on Saturday afternoon as they close out NSIC North play against UMary. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
