WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team endured a slow start against Southwest Minnesota State on Friday, Dec. 1 in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
When the dust settled, Winona State fell to SMSU 78
-65, despite a second-half Warrior surge after the break.
Key Details: Southwest Minnesota State 78, Winona State 65
Attendance: 1,243
How it Happened
An early 5-2 Mustang lead was quickly leveled with a Connon Dillon 3-pointer, but the visitors would go on to post a 12-7 advantage early on. Winona State saw Carson Arenz connect on a pair of free throws but a cold streak following Arenz's efforts at the foul line put WSU down 21-9 midway through the opening 20 minutes.
Southwest Minnesota State would continue to create distance from the Warriors, going on a 10-2 run to grab a 33-19 lead. WSU's Devon Fielding and Connor Drew would both hit a pair of free throws to jump start the Warrior offense, and WSU closed the gap to 37-26 behind a Connor Dillon hoop-and-the-harm three point play.
Both teams stalled in the final minute of the opening 20 minutes, missing transition opportunities following back-to-back steals.
Overall in the first half, the Mustangs took advantage of a cold-shooting Winona State squad in the opening 20 minutes, as SMSU would go 5-for-15 from 3-point land, while WSU was just 2-of-10.
SMSU would take a 13-point advantage into the locker room with a 39-26 lead at the break.
Halftime: SMSU 39, Winona State 26
Following the intermission, Winona State would score eight of the opening 11 points, with Declan Dillon and Carson Arenz both hit triples.
SMSU answered back with a 9-point run of their their own, eventually surging to a 16-point lead at 50-34.
Winona State would put together an impressive five-basket streak, battling back to within two point at 54-52; Devon Fielding delivered the final three-point effort to spark the comeback.
Unfortunately for WSU, SMSU was able to build a final run of their own, hitting a pair of three-pointers around the seven-minute mark and collecting a fast-break layup.
Eventually, the Mustangs were able to pull away for the 78-65 win over Winona State, dealing WSU their first setback of the year.
Final Score: Southwest Minnesota State 78, Winona State 65
Team Stat Notables
SMSU's largest lead of the night was a 16-point margin.
The Mustangs scored 38 points in the paint, compared to 34 for WSU.
WSU held the edge in points off the bench, 18-16.
WSU Stat Leaders
Declan Dillon, 15 points, 7-of-9 from the field, 7 rebounds.
Connor Drew, 14 points, 6-of-13 from the field, 2-of-2 on free throws.
Connor Dillon, 10 points
Beyond the Boxscore
SMSU hit 100% of their free throws (8-for-8) in the contest.
The setback for WSU halted their 2023-24 unbeaten run at four.
Winona State defeated SMSU in Marshall last year, 72-68, with the Mustangs gaining revenge in McCown.
Up Next
Winona State (4-1, 1-1 NSIC) will host the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, Dec. 2. WSU and USF will tip off at 3:30pm in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
