WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team hosts Minnesota State - Mankato this afternoon when they take on the Mavericks in a 1:30pm game which will be the second of two in a full week of action in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) South Division. The Mavericks come into McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court currently ranked No. 17 in the country in NCAA Division II basketball.
The Warriors (5-2, 1-1 NSIC) will take on the Mavericks (7-0, 2-0 NSIC) looking to put a dent in MSU-Mankato's unbeaten record and with an eye on moving above .500 in NSIC play. Head coach
Todd Eisner and Winona State will have the momentum of a last-second victory over the Concordia, St. Paul Golden Bears on Thursday night, a game in which senior standout
Devin Whitelow scored with just four seconds remaining to break a 63-63 deadlock to help WSU pull away.
Read on for more regarding the Winona State men's basketball team as they take on the MSU-Mankato today at home.
Who: Winona State University men's basketball vs. #17 Minnesota State
What: The Warriors (5-2, 1-1 NSIC South) will face the #17 Mavericks (7-0, 2-0 NSIC South) in the third league game for both teams.
When: Saturday, Dec 4, with a 1:30pm CST start.
Where: McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court on the campus of Winona State University.
Warriors - Mavericks Notables:
Winona State and Minnesota State played twice during last seasons Covid-altered schedule, as the teams battled to a split. WSU won game one, 86-71, while the Mav's took game two, 89-64.
MSU-Mankato and Winona State have battled fairly evenly in the past ten matchups; the Mavericks have a slight edge, 6-4 over the last ten games.
At 5-2, Winona State is one of 10 NSIC programs with five or more wins on the season so far.
Minnesota State is one of four teams currently 2-0 in NSIC play.
Winona State's Alec Rosner is currently in the NSIC Top-10 in scoring. Rosner is averaging 17.4 ppg, good for ninth among NSIC shooters.
Luke Martens is tied for 10th in the NSIC heading into today's game in rebounding, averaging 7.4 boards a game; listed at 6'3", Martens is one of the hardest working Warriors on the floor (and the boards).
Alec Rosner is eighth in the league in 3-point field goals per game, hitting at 2.4 per outing.
Devin Whitelow is tied for 8th in the NSIC in assists per game at 3.9 each contest and is tied for 10th in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.1. The dynamic point guard from Peoria, Ill. is also tied for 8th in steals at 1.6 per contest.
Alec Rosner is tied for 8th in the league in minutes per game at 33.3, even more impressive when one considers that WSU has won three games by 15 points or more.
Connor Dillon averaged 11 points per game against the Mavericks last year, while Luke Martens averaged 12 points and five boards per outing vs. Minnesota State.
#17 Minnesota State beat #19 Upper Iowa 98-96 in overtime on Thursday, the first NSIC matchup of nationally ranked teams this season.
The 2021-22 season marks the 100th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball.
In the NSIC, MSU owns a 191-84 (.694) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.
Quincy Anderson led the Mavericks with 22.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game vs. WSU last season; teammate Devonte Thedford had 15.5 points and 5.0 assists a game as well.
Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 17-23 record against Winona State, including a 7-11 record on the road.
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.
