Sioux Falls, S.D. - Having won their last three games in closely contested fashion, the Winona State men's basketball team found itself in a similar situation on Sunday, Jan. 24, taking on Augustana University in the second of a two-game series in Sioux Falls.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, Sunday's version did not follow the script of the previous three and Augustana University (4-4 / 3-3 NSIC) dealt Winona State (3-2 / 1-1 NSIC) a 73-63 loss, stopping the WSU winning streak at three games.
The teams were tied 33-33 at the half, but foul trouble defensively and a lack of trips to the foul line on offense combined to detail the Warriors' hope of sweep in Sioux Falls.
Over the course of the 40 minutes, Winona State made just one trip to the foul line, where
Devin Whitelow sank both of his team's only efforts from the charity stripe. In contrast, Augustana was 11-of-15 at the line, paced by Viking Isaac Fink, who had a 7-of-7 free-throw shooting afternoon. For the Vikings, Dylan LeBrun led his team with 23 points on an 8-for-12 shooting effort, including 4-for-7 from three-point territory.
After a strong first half,
Owen King had to head to the bench with his fourth foul with 11 minutes to go in the contest, leading Winona State in scoring up to that point.
Andrea Lo Biondo and Whitelow stepped into the point-production role for head coach
Todd Eisner after King headed to the bench, and the pair finished with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Kevion Taylor was quiet in terms of the scoring column with six points after a 28-point effort the previous night but dished out five assists and had seven rebounds. Lo Biondo logged 33 minutes for WSU, while Whitelow led the way in terms of time on the court, playing 38 minutes.
Luke Martens had eight points and
Dalante Peyton had nine for Winona State as well.
As a team, the Warriors shot 33.8% from the floor, and were 15-of-47 from behind the arc. The Vikings were 26-of-60 in the game, coming in at 43.3%. Augustana also won the board battle, out-rebounding Winona State 47-31.
Up next for the Warriors is Wayne State College, who will travel to Winona State for two games on January 29-30 in their first home action in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court. Tipoff time for Friday's contest against the Wildcats is 6pm and Saturday's game will start at 2pm.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
Media Contact: Pete Watkins, Director of Athletic Communications | Ph: 507.457.5577 | Email: pwatkins@winona.edu
