MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Winona State University offense did the heavy lifting in the first half on Friday night at MSU Moorhead. Then the defense put on the clamps early in the second half as the Warriors prevailed with their fourth consecutive victory, 89-77.
Kevion Taylor and Caleb Wagner combined for 48 WSU points.
Riding their longest win streak of the season, the Warriors improve to 7-6 (4-3 NSIC) after starting out the conference slate with an 0-3 mark. The Moorhead Dragons fall to 7-6 (3-4 NSIC).
Collectively, the Warriors shot a season-best 54 percent from the field while knocking down 10-of-25 attempts from beyond the arc.
Both teams shot better than 58 percent from the field in the opening half of Friday's tilt as Winona State carried a 45-44 edge into the break. The second half was a different story though as the Warrior defense held the home team to just 13 points over the first 10 minutes of the frame. Meanwhile, WSU built a 69-57 lead on a layup by Keiron Goodwin at the 10:50 mark of the second half.
The Warriors never trailed in the second half and took the lead on a jumper by Taylor before the sides went to the locker room at halftime. Taylor finished the night by matching his season high with 27 points while recording his second double-double of the year (10 rebounds).
Wagner added 21 points for WSU to go along with six rebounds and a team-best four assists. Luke Martens chipped in six points and five rebounds in 14 minutes of action off the Warrior bench. Alier Riak recorded a season-best seven points in the triumph.
Despite the fast-paced nature of the high-scoring first half, Winona State played another extremely clean game, turning the ball over just five times while forcing 10 Dragon miscues. The Warriors also won the rebounding battle, 32-30.
The Warriors return to action on Saturday evening seeking their fifth straight win at Northern State University. WSU will also seek to avenge a heartbreaking last-second loss to the Wolves in last season's NSIC Semifinals. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D.
