WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University women's basketball team extended their 2022 season-starting winning streak to six games, knocking off Upper Iowa University 78-45 in the NSIC opener for both teams. 

Winona State established a healthy lead at the intermission, 35-22 and continued to pull away in the second half for the comfortable victory. 

WSU came out of the gate in strong fashion, outscoring the Peacocks 19-8 in the first quarter, while the second frame saw only a one-point Warrior advantage at 16-15.  WSU's big second half included an opportunity for all 16 WSU players on the roster to see the floor. 

Winona State was led by Alex Dornfeld with 19 points, while Caitlin Riley scored 16. Dornfeld also hauled in a team-high nine rebounds, and Riley was a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the three-point line, part of an impressive night from behind the arc where the Warriors were 9-of-13 (69.2%). The Warriors saw their bench chip in 30 points in the blowout win, a victory that marked the 18th consecutive victory over UIU. 

WSU entered the evening ranked No. 7 in the D2SIDA Central Region Poll and made the most of their first regular season game on home court. Head coach Ana Wurtz saw her team score the first seven points of the game and WSU never trailed in the contest.

Winona State (6-0, 1-0 NSIC) is next in action on Monday, November 28, hosting Viterbo University.  The Warriors and V-Hawks will tip off at 5:30 p.m. in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.