Winona, Minn. – The Winona State University men's basketball team used a 15-point run early in the second half to pull away from the Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears Friday night to secure a 76-62 victory.
Kevion Taylor led Winona State with 23 points in the win, including 16 in the first half.
With the win the Warriors move back to .500 on the season at 5-5 overall (3-4 NSIC South) while the Golden Bears extend their losing streak to 10 and fall to 1-10 overall (0-7 NSIC South).
Winona State led for almost the entire game, with the Golden Bear's last lead being at the 7:15 mark of the first half.
Kevion Taylor hit one of his two makes from behind the arc a few seconds later to give the Warriors a lead that they would never relinquish. CSP kept it close in the first half, but a layup by
Andrea Lo Biondo and a three by
Nick Klug gave the Warriors a 31-24 lead going into the break.
The second half saw the teams trade baskets back and forth for the opening few minutes until WSU went on a 19-8 run that was capped off by a
Luke Martens poster dunk to give Winona State a comfortable 16-point lead. After hitting just three of their 15 attempts from three in the first half, the Warriors went 5-9 in the second half on shots from downtown. At the end of the game Winona State was able to empty their bench and cruise to a 76-62 victory.
Winona State was led in scoring by
Kevion Taylor with 23, followed by
Alec Rosner (11) and
Nick Klug (10). Martens and
Owen King each had nine rebounds apiece, while Martins,
Devin Whitelow, and King all chipped in two assists.
Alec Rosner, who had been sidelined with a knee injury, played 17 valuable minutes for the Warriors. Thanks to Rosner and Klug, the Warriors bench outscored Concordia's bench 28-15.
Winona State shot 26-54 (.481) from the floor and 8-24 (.333) from three. Concordia St. Paul shot 22-56 (.393) from the floor and 12-25 (.481) from three.
With the win today, Warriors Head Coach
Todd Eisner is now at 499 for his career. A win tomorrow would give him a well deserved 500
th career victory.
The Warriors are back in action tomorrow in McCown as they face Concordia for the second time in as many days at 2 p.m.
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
