DULUTH, Minn. – The Winona State University men's basketball team picked up a big-time road win at (RV) Minnesota Duluth, using a dominant first half to claim an 84-72 victory.
The Warriors jumped out to a 43-29 lead at the break with the help of 18-30 (.600) shooting from the field, including 7-12 (.583) from beyond the arc.
The 14-point halftime lead deemed to be enough, as the Warriors continued offensive success in the second half and held on to a 12-point victory over UMD, the reigning NSIC North champions.
Winona State gained separation midway through the first half with a nine-point scoring run, but the Bulldogs clawed back and made it a one-point game with five minutes left in the opening half. The Warriors answered right back, going on a 13-0 run to end the half and take a 43-29 halftime lead.
WSU took away all comeback hopes the Bulldogs built up by getting to the paint and scoring key buckets to maintain their lead, holding on for the 84-72 road win.
Connor Dillon broke a shooting slump by going 50% (11-22) from the field, including 2-7 from deep to score a game-high 30 points.
Connor Drew also added 20 points on an efficient 7-11 shooting while grabbing seven boards.
Declan Dillon dished out a game-high six assists while adding eight points and four boards.
Luke Martens picked up eight rebounds to lead the Warriors and collected three steals.
Drew Blair led UMD with 26 points, while Austin Andrews scored 14 to be the other Bulldog in double figures.
As a team, Winona State shot 53.6% from the field and 50.0% from deep, while knocking down 15-21 free throws. The Warriors outscored UMD in the paint by two points and gained 12 more points off turnovers.
Winona State is now 10-7 overall and 5-7 in the NSIC, while Minnesota Duluth is 13-5 overall and 9-3 in the NSIC.
This evening's key road win will set the Warriors up for another pair of road contests at Minot State and UMary next weekend.
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.
