WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team is set to host their last home NSIC weekend before the holiday break, as WSU welcomes Southwest Minnesota State on Friday, Dec. 9 and the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, Dec. 10.  The Warriors will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the Mustangs and will take on the Cougars at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. 

Winona State is 6-2 on the season and coming off a weekend win at Concordia University, St. Paul, downing the Golden Bears, 66-63 last Saturday. SMSU enters their NSIC weekend at 4-3 on the season, 1-2 in NSIC play.  USF is 7-2 on the season and 2-1 in NSIC action. 

GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live stats & stream for the game are available at the links above and on the WSU Men's Basketball schedule page. 
• Both contests will take place in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court. 

WINONA STATE STORYLINES

• Winona State holds a 6-2 record and is 1-2 in the NSIC after earning their first conference win of the season over Concordia-St. Paul.
• WSU averages 71.8 points per game and allow 67.3 points/game, which is third best in the NSIC.
• The Warriors hold the league's best assist/turnover ratio with a 1.49 mark.
• Connor Dillon leads WSU and is fourth in the NSIC in scoring, averaging 21.0 points/game.
• Luke Martens pulls in 7.7 boards per game, good for seventh in the conference.
• Owen King holds a 4.1 assist/turnover ratio, which is second-best in the league.
• Connor Drew scores 11.6 ppg and adds 5.5 rebounds/game as the big man down low.
• This weekend will be the final games in McCown Gymnasium for WSU in 2022, as they don't return home until January 6, 2023.

Southwest Minnesota State STORYLINES

• The Mustangs are 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC, having dropped their two most recent contests.
• SMSU is averaging 69.3 points/game on the offensive end and allow 66.3 points/game defensively.
• Dunwa Omot leads the Mustangs in scoring, averaging 13.0 points/game.
• Jake Phipps is averaging 10.7 ppg and 8.9 boards/game to lead SMSU on the glass.
• Cliff McCray dishes out 4.0 assists/game and scores double figures with 10.4 points each game.
• Brad Bigler is in his 14th season as the head coach for SMSU men's basketball.

University of Sioux Falls STORYLINES

• The Cougars are 7-2 this season and 2-1 in the NSIC. Most recently, USF defeated Augustana 80-59.
• Sioux Falls averages 72.4 points/game and allows an average of 67.3 ppg for a 5.1 scoring margin.
• Matt Cartwright is 3rd in the NSIC in scoring and leads the Cougars with 21.4 points/game. Cartwright averages 3.8 three pointers a game and shoots the deep ball at a .500 clip.
• Jack Thompson adds 11.6 points each game to be the other Cougar in double figures.
• Chase Grinde grabs 6.8 rebounds/game to lead Sioux Falls.
• Chris Johnson is in his 15th season at the helm for USF men's basketball.

WARRIOR NOTABLES 

• The Warriors were selected 10th overall and seventh in the NSIC South by coaches around the league.
• Former Warrior standout Caleb Wagner joined Eisner's staff in the off-season. 
• The Warriors won the 2005-06 and 2007-08 NCAA Division II National Championships.

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.

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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.