SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Winona State University men's basketball team put together a solid first half of basketball on Saturday and found themselves leading the University of Sioux Falls by four points at the halftime break on the Cougars home court. Unfortunately, USF heated up in the second half and pulled away from the Warriors, dealing WSU a 71-57 setback on Saturday.
The Warriors (6-4, 3-4 NSIC) received a double-double effort from
Luke Martens and saw
Alec Rosner add 15 points to the Winona State scoreline, but a tough afternoon from behind the arc allowed Sioux Falls to claim the South Division win on their home floor.
Martens had 17 points and 10 rebounds for WSU in one of his strongest overall outings this year. Currently on the season, Martens has 75 boards in 10 games, with teammate
Connor Drew second on the squad with 41.
As at team, however, Winona State was just 2-of-15 from 3-point territory in the game, including an 0-for-6 mark in the second half. Overall, the Warriors hit 22-of-57 and were 11-of-16 from the charity stripe, including Rosner at a perfect 6-of-6. Both
Carson Arenz and
Nick Klug blocked a Cougar shot in the game.
A second-half surge by the Cougars was led by Matt Cartwright with 24 points; Cartwright's hot hand notched 31 points the night before against Upper Iowa. The Cougars' Chase Grinde had 14 rebounds and 14 points, while USF owned a team advantage of 44-30 on the boards. Eleven of USF's rebounds were at the offensive end of the floor, where they accumulated 15 second-chance points.
Winona State will now return home for a pair of contests on home hardwood, as the Warriors welcome Wayne State College on Friday, Dec.17 and Augustana University on Saturday, Dec. 18. Tip-off against the WSC Wildcats is set for 5:30pm on Friday, while the Warriors and the Vikings will start at 3:30pm on Saturday in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
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
