The Winona State University men's basketball team took a three-game winning streak westward to face #11 Augustana University at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Friday evening.  Luke Martens turned in a career-best 22-point effort for the Warriors, but the Vikings did just enough to hold off a late WSU rally, beating Winona State, 64-60.

Facing a nationally-ranked team on the road, Winona State successfully managed the tempo of the contest early on with the two teams combining for just 22 points in the first ten minutes of play, as the Vikings staked a narrow lead 12-10. 

While Augustana heated up from the floor as the half wore on, Winona State matched the pace despite struggling from three-point territory. The Warriors scored 36 points in the paint on a night where the long-distance shooting game was unable to get going with a 3-of-11 success rate in the first half from behind the arc. In addition, Augustana almost doubled WSU's trips to the foul line, with the hosts hitting 8-of-13 free throws compared to the Warriors' 4-of-7 opportunities on the evening. 

Behind at the break 31-27, head coach Todd Eisner saw his team stick around through the final 20 minutes, having a defensive answer every time Augustana looked set to make a run.  With under 30 seconds to play in the game, a Martens make down low with a foul saw Winona State pull to within 62-60. However,  moments later AU's Isaac Fink connected on a pair of free throws of his own to put the game out of reach for good and delivered the final 64-60 scoreline. 

Martens was 9-of-19 from the field, including a 2-for-8 performance from behind the arc, and a perfect 2-of-2 from the foul line. Connor Drew was the only other Warrior in double-figures, scoring 11 points, while Devin Whitelow delivered seven assists in the game. Alec Rosner hauled in eight rebounds, his second-highest season total. 

As a team, Winona State finished 25-of-60 (45.16%) from the floor, but just 6-of-25 (24.0% ) from three point territory.  AU's Tyler Riemersma turned in an impressive night against the Warriors, hauling in 19 rebounds and scoring 17 points. 

Winona State falls to 13-7 overall, 9-6 in NSIC play while Augustana improves to 18-2 overall and 12-2 in league play.  The Warriors will return to action on the road tomorrow at 5:30pm, taking on Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb.