WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team, ranked No. 24 in the most recent NABC Coaches' Poll, hosted Minnesota State, ranked third in the country, in a matchup of Top-25 teams in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Cout on Thursday, Dec. 14.
The visiting Mavericks jumped out to an early advantage thanks in part to an 11-4 start from the opening tip and Winona State was unable to close the gap over the course of the contest. Winona State battled on the boards but the cold-shooting Warriors were unable to get on track offensively, negating any comeback opportunity.
Key Details: Minnesota State 89, Winona State 64
Attendance: 864
How It Happened
The Mavericks enjoyed a hot start to the contest, hitting 10-of-18 (55.6%) from the floor in the opening ten minutes while holding Winona State to just 5-of-20 (25.0%) in the same time frame.
Scoring streaks were few and far between for WSU, although
Declan Dillon,
Connor Dillon and
Connor Drew each connected on layups in quick succession about five minutes into the first half, pulling the Warriors to within three points at 11-8.
However, shortly after the trio of makes by Winona State, Minnesota State would stretch their lead to 23-10 by midway through the first half.
A
Carson Arenz dunk at the 5:09 mark of the first half sparked another WSU mini-run, with WSU carving the Maverick's 20 point lead to 14 in the space of 90 seconds.
Unfortunately for WSU, Minnesota State would go on to make four of the final five scoring plays of the half, taking a 48-27 advantage into the lockeroom.
Minnesota State closed the half going 5-for-10 (50.0%) from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes while WSU was just 1-of-13 from 3-point territory.
At the Half: Minnesota State 48, Winona State 27
Foul trouble hampered WSU in the second half, with
Declan Dillon picking up his fourth foul at the 16 mark, forcing the Warriors' leading scorer in the game to take an extended break from the floor.
Winona State did see a surge beginning at 12:20 in the second half, when
Carter Lomas connected on a pair of foul shots, followed by a
Jordan Wilkins 3-pointer. For Wilkins, the triple was a part of a 10-point night coming off the bench with a strong effort for the Warriors.
As in the first frame however, MSU's dialed-in delivery to the basket continued in the second half, with the Mavericks hitting 16-of-30 (53.33%) overall from the floor in the final 20 minutes of play.
With reserves accounting for most of the playing time in the final 10 minutes, WSU would go to close a 32-point disadvantage to under 25 with 90 seconds to play. Minnesota State would eventually close out the contest with a 89-64 win.
WSU Stat Standouts
Declan Dillon 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Connor Dillon 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Jordan Wilkins 10 points, 4-of-4 from the floor, 2-of-2 at the free throw line
Team Stats Comparables
WSU was 1-of-13 from 3-point territory in the first half, while MSU was 5-of-10 on 3's in the opening 20 minutes.
MSU saw five different Mavericks reach double digits, including a pair of 18-point scorers in Elijah Hazekamp and Malik Willingham
The Mavericks out-rebounded the Warriors 37-29 overall.
Beyond the Boxscore
Minnesota State moves to 11-0 on the year, keeping pace with MSU Moorhead as the two undefeated NSIC teams.
WSU moves to 4-2 in the NSIC on the year, one of three teams with four wins in the league. UMD and Minot State both reached four wins this week as well.
The Warriors were unable to snap a losing streak to the Mavericks, as Minnesota State has edged Winona State in their last four meetings.
Up Next
Winona State returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 16, traveling north to take on the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Warriors and Bulldogs are scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip-off in Romano Gymnasium.
