WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University women's basketball team nearly overcame a cold-shooting first half to close out a furious comeback on Friday, January 6 against the University of Minnesota Crookston, but fell just short in losing to the Golden Eagles, 63-58.
Playing at home for the first time in three weeks, WSU was held to just 15 first-half points, including a four-point second frame, but warmed up substantially over the final 20 minutes to mount a claw-back effort.
WSU took a 51-50 lead with 3:51 to go in the game, their first advantage of the contest, thanks to a 3-pointer from
Emma Carpenter. Baskets by
Ava Sergio and
Mattie Schimenz moments later stretched the Warrior lead to 55-53 with 2:21 to go..
Unfortunately, Minnesota Crookston responded with a bucket with 90 seconds to go to tie the game at 55-55 and converted a handful of free throws in the final minute to hold off the Warriors.
WSU was 4-of-14 (28.6%) from the floor in the first quarter and just 2-of-12 (16.7%) in the second frame.
Lauren Fech was the leading Warrior scorer in the first half with eight points. WSU trailed 22-15 at the half.
In the second 20 minutes, the Winona State offense improved.
WSU outscored UMC 21-20 in the third quarter and 22-21 in the fourth frame, thanks in part to 17-of-33 (53.4%) shooting performance. Overall, in the game, the Warriors out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 31-28 and saw the WSU bench outscore the UMC substitutes by a healthy 17-7 margin.
Alex Dornfeld and
Lauren Fech led Winona State in scoring with 13 points apiece, and Dornfeld was the top Warrior rebounder with nine boards.
Caitlin Riley added 12 points to the Warrior effort, going 3-for-6 from behind the arc.
Minnesota Crookston was led by Emma Miler with 22 points. Bren Fox and Alex Page scored 14 and 13 points for the Golden Eagles, respectively.
The Golden Eagles improved to 7-8 overall and 6-3 in the NSIC. With the loss, Winona State falls to 8-7 on the season and 2-7 in league play.
The Warriors return to action on Saturday, January 7 when they host Bemidji State University. WSU and BSU will tip off at 3:30pm in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
