WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University men's basketball team will embark on its final NSIC North road trip of the regular season this weekend with stops at Minot State and UMary. The Warriors take on the Beavers on Friday at 7:30 p.m. with the finale against the Marauders set for Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
The Warriors (12-10, 9-7 NSIC) are coming off a weekend split at home against Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State. WSU dominated the NSIC's top-scoring Bulldogs, 85-57, before dropping a tough overtime tilt to St. Cloud, 90-83. Winona State has won nine of its last 13 games with three of those losses coming in overtime.
With the NSIC Tournament on the horizon, the Warriors will look to improve their 2-7 record away from McCown Gymnasium this weekend. Winona State is currently tied for third in the South Division standings which would give the Warriors an opening round home game on Wednesday, February 26.
Winona State ranks eighth in the NSIC in scoring offense (76.4 ppg) and ninth in scoring defense (74.0). The Warrior defense will look to slow Minot's Kyle Beisch (19.4 ppg) who ranks seventh in the NSIC in scoring. Earlier this year, the WSU defense held Harrison Cleary (27.5) and Brandon Myer (20.5) to a combined average of 12 points in their meeting.
The Warriors' three-point shooting continues to be the offensive focal point as Winona State ranks fifth in the NSIC from downtown (37.5%) – a mark which has steadily increased all season. WSU has connected on at least 10 triples in 21 of 22 outings this year. The Warriors have shot 40% or better in six of their last seven games and own a 5-2 mark in those tilts. WSU ranks fifth nationally in three-point attempts (683) and sixth in converted three-pointers (256).
Kevion Taylor ranks fifth in the NSIC in scoring (19.9) and ninth in rebounding (7.5). The junior's 3.6 triples/game lead the league and rank 12th in the country. Taylor has reached double digits in the scoring column in 16 consecutive games. Right behind him in the NSIC leaders in Caleb Wagner (19.8). The senior is averaging 22.5 ppg over his last 13 ballgames.
Alec Rosner (9.1) and Andrea Lo Biondo (9.0) round out the WSU scoring leaders. Lo Biondo has tallied three double-doubles this year, including a season-high 16 rebounds vs. UMD last weekend.
Winona State continues to be one of the best ball-handling teams in the country, ranking second in NCAA DII for fewest turnovers/game (9.2). The Warriors' 203 turnovers are the fewest in the NSIC and rank eighth nationally. Collectively, WSU ranks 14th in assist/turnover ratio (1.49), led by Devin Whitelow (4.88).
Scouting Minot State
The Beavers (10-12, 4-12 NSIC) have won four of their last five outings and are 5-6 at home this season. The Warriors dropped last year's meeting in Winona, but have won eight of 10 matchups overall with the Beavers.
Minot State ranks 13th in the NSIC in scoring offense (72.0 ppg) and is fourth in scoring defense (70.1). The Beavers are the top three-point defensive team in the league (31.6%). Minot State is also a threat on the offensive glass (9.9) and is careful with the ball, having only committed 235 team turnovers.
Following Beisch (19.4 ppg), Cody Max (15.4) and Kody Dwyer (12.0) round out the scoring leaders. Max leads the NSIC in assists/game (6.5).
Scouting UMary
The Marauders (10-12, 5-11 NSIC) host Upper Iowa on Friday prior to Saturday's finale with Winona State. UMary is 7-4 on its home court this season. WSU has won 10 straight in the series with only one loss in 20 previous matchups with UMary.
The Marauders are second-to-last in the NSIC in scoring offense (69.7) but own the second-best scoring defense (69.0). UMary is third in the league in blocked shots/game (3.32).
Matthew Kreklow (13.6) and Jaylan White (11.3) lead the offense. Kreklow ranks fourth in the NSIC in shooting percentage (54%) and is seventh in rebounding (8.4).
