WINONA, Minn. -
Emily Kieck scored 26 points on Sunday, Jan. 2 against Upper Iowa University and none were more important than a pair of free throws to keep the Warriors within striking distance late in the game, helping Winona State eventually pull away from UIU, 61-55.
Kieck's season-high output paced the Warriors who found themselves locked in a battle with the Peacocks throughout the duration of the afternoon. Kieck's play was consistent across all four quarters, as the senior guard went 9-for-17 from the field and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe, including her two with just :14 left on the clock. Teammate Mattie Schimez added two more from the foul line with seven seconds to go to ice the victory and move the Winona State win streak over UIU to 17 straight games. Upper Iowa led by one point at the halftime break, 30-29.
Winona State guard
Caitlin Riley scored 16 points in the contest, marking her fifth double-digit scoring spree of the year, going 4-for-11 from 3-point territory. The sophomore from Cedar Rapids, Iowa also was 2-for-2 from the free-throw line and tied a season-high mark with five rebounds against the Peacocks.
Taylor Hustad hauled in nine rebounds for Winona State, while
Emma Fee had seven.
As a team, Winona State was 12-of-14 from the charity stripe, including netting a pair in the last four minutes after Upper Iowa was assessed a technical foul. The Warriors took advantage of the key momentum shift which came at a point in the contest, as UIU was starting to gain a foothold in a game where the two teams exchanged the lead 11 times. WSU also had five steals overall, with Kieck leading the Warrior way with three. Winona State shot just 38.2% from the field but saw a solid defensive effort yield 16 points off of UIU turnovers.
Upper Iowa was led by Jessica Musgrave with 14 points, one of four Peacocks in double figures. UIU shot 31.8% from the field and hauled in 30 rebounds, compared to 41 for Winona State.
With the win, Winona State moves back to .500 at 6-6 on the season and 3-5 in NSIC play. Upper Iowa falls to 2-12 overall and 0-8 in the NSIC.
The Warriors will hit the road next weekend, traveling to Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston for games on Friday, Jan. 7 and Saturday, Jan. 8. Tip-off times are 7:30pm and 5:30pm, respectively.
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
