WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball team used a 13-point run at the end of the first quarter and the early part of the second frame to pull away from the Sioux Falls Cougars in a 76-61 Warrior victory on Saturday, Dec. 10 in McCown Gymnasium.
The Winona State first-half point burst included a buzzer-beating half-court heave by
Lauren Fech as the opening ten minutes expired, and the long-range effort proved to be a sign of things to come as WSU used the long ball to notch their second NSIC win of the year.
Caitlin Riley was dialed from downtown in the first half, leading all scorers with 12 points, all earned on a 4-of-6 three-point shooting spree. Riley was joined by Warrior teammate
Ava Sergio with a strong opening 20 minutes, as Sergio scored seven points, including a 3-point basket from well behind the arc in the first quarter.
In the opening twenty minutes, WSU was 14-of-30 from the floor and took a 38-26 lead into the locker room at the break.
To start the second half, Sioux Falls stole a page out of the Warriors' playbook, opening the third quarter with a 10-2 run to pull within 42-38, forcing a Winona State time out.
As good teams do, WSU scored coming out of the time out and then went on a 12-2 run of their own to re-establish momentum in the game. The Warrior scoring stretch included a Riley driving layup which drew a foul, resulting in yet another 3-point play for the Cedar Rapids, Iowa native.
At the end of the third quarter, Winona State struck again with a last-second long-range effort. Warrior forward
Naomi Breunig combined with
Mattie Schimenz with a pick play ran to perfection, as Breunig drained a three-pointer after setting a screen for Schimenz and then stepping back for the return pass.
In the fourth quarter, WSU maintained their distance from the Cougars, trading buckets with USF but also earning several free throws with a dribble-drive attack from the perimeter. With two minutes to go, WSU established their largest lead of the game, and with it, extended each possession to soak up as much clock as possible. Schimenz finished off the Warrior scoring in the game, knocking down her final free throw for a 76-61 victory.
Caitlin Riley finished with 20 points to lead Winona State, going 5-for-7 from behind the arc.
Mattie Schimenz added 15 points to the Warrior effort and dished out a game-high seven assists.
Alex Dornfeld and
Lauren Fech helped WSU dominate on the glass, with Dornfeld pulling in 13 boards and Fech finishing with nine rebounds.
As a team, Winona State was 27-of-58 (46.6%) from the floor and 11-of-28 (39.3%) from behind the arc. WSU knocked down 11-of-13 (84.6%)free throws and out-rebounded Sioux Falls 36-26 en route to the win.
USF was led in scoring by Madison Wuebben with 13 points while Cougar teammate Madison Birnbaum had seven rebounds. Sioux Falls slips to 4-7 overall and 1-4 in league play.
With the Warrior win, Winona State moves to 8-3 overall and 2-3 in the NSIC. WSU will take to the road next weekend, playing at Wayne State College on Saturday, Dec. 17 and at Augustana University on Sunday, Dec. 18. The Warriors and Wildcats are set for a 3:30 pm start in Wayne, Neb. and a 1:30 pm tip off at Augustana.
