WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University held the NSIC's top scoring team to its lowest offensive output of the season. On the other end of the court, the Warriors drilled a season-best 16 three-pointers while shooting 46 percent from downtown inside a packed McCown Gymnasium to topple the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, 85-57.
It will stand as a statement win for WSU heading into the final month of the regular season.
The Warriors have shot at least 40 percent from beyond the arc in six straight games and own a 5-1 record in that span. The only loss was an overtime setback at Sioux Falls last Saturday that saw Winona State let the NSIC South-leading Cougars steal one on their home court. Now, the Warriors have a signature win over one of the NSIC North's top teams.
Winona State improves to 12-9 (9-6 NSIC) and 10-2 at home while sending UMD to a record of 16-5 (11-4 NSIC).
Duluth scored the first points of Friday night's tilt. The Bulldogs would never lead again after Andrea Lo Biondo connected from downtown on the Warriors' ensuing possession.
WSU set the tone early from three-point land, converting four of its first five attempts over the game's first four minutes to open a 12-4 lead. UMD closed the gap to five points before an eight-point run capped by Nick Klug's four-point play padded the Warrior lead to 29-16. Alec Rosner followed with a triple to make it a 32-19 contest with 6:43 left in the first half. Dalante Peyton closed the frame with a fastbreak three from the corner to give WSU a 45-34 advantage at the break.
Winona State led by double-digits for the duration of the second half as the three-point barrage was finalized by Brandon Goebel. The junior walk-on, who was formerly the Warriors' student assistant, registered his first career points to put the exclamation point on the evening.
Four Warriors scored in double figures, led by Kevion Taylor (17). Caleb Wagner scored 15 points while dishing out five assists and Lo Biondo tallied his third double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Devin Whitelow added five assists in the win.
The Warriors will look for a weekend sweep on Saturday when St. Cloud State comes to Winona for a 5:30 p.m. tip.
