WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball team returned home after spending the past two weekends on the road and entered their contest Friday night against Northern State University looking to snap a four-game skid.
The Warriors were successful thanks in large part to four double-digit scoring performances and a solid night at the free throw line, downing the Wolves 73-66 in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
Lauren Fech scored 19 points - including a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line - while
Alex Dornfeld (14),
Caitlin Riley (13) and
Mattie Schimenz (10) all found home-court shooting to their liking on the night. WSU's last home game was on Saturday, January 7, a 76-63 win over Bemidji State, and after back-to-back road trip weekends, head coach
Ana Wurtz and her team were eager to play in front of a home crowd.
Winona State pulled away from Northern State after a closely-contested opening 10 minutes, stretching a series of strong possession late in the first half into a nine-point advantage at the break at 35-26.
The Warriors opened the second half in strong form as well, with an
Alex Dornfeld 3-pointer and a
Caitlin Riley jumper accounting for the first five points in the third quarter. That 14-point lead for the home team would be trimmed back however by the Wolves, as Northern State steadily chipped away to pull to within four points by the end of the third frame, with WSU leading 50-46.
In fourth quarter,
Mattie Schimenz hit a triple to start the last ten minutes and WSU was able to keep Northern State at bay the rest of the way. Fech went 6-for-6 on free throws in the final 20 seconds of the contest, sealing the Warrior win.
As a team, Winona State was 26-of-50 (52.0%) from the floor and hit an impressive 9-of-18 (50.0%) three-point attempts. WSU was awarded 16 free throws in the contest - knocking down 12 - a mark matched by the Wolves who were also 12-of-16 from the line. The two teams had identical marks in turnovers - nine apiece - but Winona State held a distinct advantage in fast-break points, outscoring the visitors 10-1 on the run. WSU compiled ten assists on the night, led by Fech with four.
Northern State was led by Kailee Oliverson with 21 points and eight rebounds. Rianna Fillipi score 15 for the visitors.
With the win, Winona State moves to 10-11 overall and 4-11 in the NSIC. WSU will look to sweep the NSIC weekend on Saturday, Jan. 28 when they host Minnesota State Moorhead. The Dragons and the Warriors will tip off at 5:30 p.m. in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
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.
