FAYETTE, Iowa - The Winona State University women's basketball team is set to officially kick off the 2021-22 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) season when they travel to Upper Iowa University, on Nov. 23 for a 5:30pm tip-off.
The Warriors (2-0, 0-0 NSIC) are set to take on UIU (1-2, 0-0 NSIC) as both teams open this year's conference slate against the same team as they closed their campaign last season. At conclusion of the contest tonight, Winona State and Upper Iowa will played against each other three times in last ten months; head coach
Scott Ballard and the Warriors will look to extend their 15-game winning streak over the Peacocks in the process.
Read on for more regarding the Winona State women's basketball as they take on Upper Iowa on the road.
Who: The Winona State women's basketball team will compete on the road in their first NSIC contests at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.
What: The Warriors (2-0, 0-0 NSIC) will take on UIU (1-2, 0-0 NSIC) in the first league game for either team.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 23, with a 5:30pm start.
Where- Dorman Gymnasium on the campus of Upper Iowa University.
Warrior - UIU Notables:
The Champs!: Winona State won the Quincy University Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic, going 2-0 on the weekend with a 70-46 win over McKendree and 66-50 victory over QU.
We like this gym: WSU finished 2020-21 on a high note with a sweep of Upper Iowa last year, beating the Peacocks twice in Fayette, 77-61 and 92-80.
Hustad at Dorman: Taylor Hustad scored 16 points and 21 points, respectively, in her most two most recent game against UIU, leading the Warriors in scoring both times.
Back to the foul line?: In the Winona State win over McKendree, WSU did not earn a trip to the foul line, the first time in recent memory that the Warriors did not have at least one free throw attempt in a game.
Back-to-back weirdness: Upper Iowa has gone 5-for-14 from 3-point land in back-to-back games leading into tonight's contest; WSU's most recent opponent, Quincy University, had scored 57 points in back-to-back games prior to playing WSU.
Dialed in from distance: WSU has 6-of-25 (vs. MU) and 4-of-16 (vs. MU) from behind the arc, but has fared better against UIU recently, going 18-of-52 in their last two games vs. Upper Iowa last season.
That's a stat!: Winona State women's basketball has earned 15 straight wins over Upper Iowa.
That's a stat, too!: Winona State and Upper Iowa are separated by less than 100 miles; however, the two teams once played each other in Fairbanks, Alaska, a neutral site game in 2012. WSU beat UIU, 70-40 on that occasion.
The South is on Top: In the 2021-22 season so far, Winona State is one of four unbeaten NSIC South Division teams. Only one Northern Division team, Bemidji State, is still undefeated at this point on the year.
More on Winona State -
Winona State features a roster of 17 student-athletes, led by four seniors. There are eight freshman within the team this year.
Mattie Schimenz scored 12 points in 20 minutes against Quincy University is their most recent matchup, going 4-of-5 from the floor.
Emma Fee has been key around the lane for Winona State, leading WSU in total points (31) and is second on the team in rebounding (13).
Ava Sergio is an impressive 10-of-15 from the floor this year in two games and has hit double-digits in rebounds with 11, one of three Warriors with 10 or more boards this season.
Lauren Fech leads Winona State in assists with six helpers on the year; she has also grabbed seven rebounds.
Four Warriors are averaging double-digits for WSU so far; Emma Fee (15.5), Caitlin Riley (10.5), Ava Sergio (10.5) and Taylor Hustad (10.0).
Caitlin Riley, Emily Kieck & Lauren Fech are leading the Warriors in terms of time on the floor; Fech is at 28.5 min/game, while Kieck and Riley are averaging 24.5.
Extra on Upper Iowa -
The Peacock's are 1-2 this season, and coming off a loss vs. Rockhurst University last weekend.
Head coach Nate Oakland is in his third season at the helm for Upper Iowa. The Peacocks went 4-41 under Oakland during his first two seasons.
UIU was picked to finish last in the NSIC South Division and 14th overall in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Upper Iowa is averaging 81.7 points per game, but have given up an average of 84 ppg. They average 44.8% from the field and 32.1% from beyond the arc.
Jessica Musgrave is leading the team with 24 ppg and 8.3 rebounds per game. Lydia Haack, reigning NSIC Freshman of the Year, is second on the team with 17 ppg and leads the team with 5.3 assists per game.
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.
