MARSHALL, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team hits the road and heads west this weekend, as they are scheduled to play at Southwest Minnesota State on Friday evening in a 5:30 pm game against the Mustangs.
The Warriors (6-2, 2-1 NSIC) will take on SMSU (5-3, 1-2 NSIC) looking to add on to their current three-game unbeaten streak. Head coach
Todd Eisner and Winona State will have the momentum of a convincing home court win over Minnesota State - Mankato this past Saturday. At the time, the Mavericks were unbeaten on the season and ranked #17 in the country before WSU dealt them their first loss in a 73-59 Warrior win.
Read on for more regarding the Winona State men's basketball team as they travel to Southwest Minnesota State on Friday, Dec. 10.
Who: Winona State University men's basketball at Southwest Minnesota State
What: The Warriors (6-2, 2-1 NSIC South) will be hosted by SMSU (5-3, 1-2 NSIC South)
When: Friday, Dec 10, with a 5:30 pm CST start.
Where: Recreation / Athletics Facility, on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University.
Warriors - Mustangs Notables:
Due to Covid, Winona State & SMSU also did not face-off last year, as their two-game back-to-back series was canceled. The two teams tangled last on Feb. 15, 2020, a Warrior win, 68-56.
WSU swept the Mustangs in 2019-20, winning 63-55 in Marshall as well as 68-56 in Winona.
At 6-2, Winona State is one of just eight NSIC programs with six or more wins on the season. Thanks to the Warriors' handiwork on Saturday vs. Minnesota State - Mankato, only Minnesota - Duluth remains as an unbeaten team.
Winona State is one of five teams currently 2-1 in NSIC play; games this weekend will have a significant impact on the standings in the South Division.
n a 2-0 week vs. MSU-Mankato & CSP, four Warriors averaged over 30 minutes a game; Alec Rosner (37.8), Devin Whitelow (35.3), Owen King (34.0) & Luke Martens (31.8) put in the work for Winona State last week.
Connor Drew, Luke Martens & Devin Whitelow all shot 50% or better last week; Drew was 10-of-20 (50.0%), Martens made 7-of-12 (58.3%) & Whitelow went 15-of-28 (53.6%).
Luke Martens was a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the arc in last week's action, while Whitelow was 3-of-5. Martens also made 5-of-6 free throws.
In beating #17 Minnesota State by 14, WSU came within a bucket of beating their 15-point win margin over the Mavericks last season.
When the Warriors & Mustangs last played (2/15/20) Whitelow led his team in assists (5) and hauled in five rebounds.
SMSU currently sits at a 5-3 overall with a 1-2 conference record, dropping their last two contests against NSIC opponents.
The Mustangs went 3-1 in early-season tournaments at the Concordia-St. Paul Classic and the Parkside Classic. SMSU's lone nonconference loss came to Rogers State (Okla.) in their first game of the season.
SMSU's only conference win was over the University of Sioux Falls on the road by a score of 70-69.
The Mustangs largest victory was over Newman (Kan.) when they won by a score of 84-58. Their biggest defeat was a 74-103 loss to Augustana.
Kenny Byers and Jake Phipps lead the team with an average of 13.5 points/game. Cliff McCray is also averaging double-digits, scoring 11.9 points a game.
Byers, a 6'4" guard, is leading the Mustangs with 3.8 assists/game. Phipps, a 6-9 center, is leading SMSU with 7.1 rebounds/game.
Dunwa Omot has provided a spark for SMSU off the bench, averaging nine points/game, and is second on the team with nine steals.
The Mustangs are averaging 71.5 points/game while giving up 68 points/game.
SMSU is third in the NSIC averaging 7.13 steals per game.
The Mustangs are 1-1 at home this season, defeating Division III Minnesota Morris and falling to Augustana in their most recent contest.
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
