WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University women's basketball team saw
Olivia Gamoke earn a career-high scoring tally but the University of Sioux Falls held off a Warrior rally to deal WSU a 53-49 loss on Saturday, Dec. 2 in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
Gamoke was a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the arc in the game and was 9-of-13 overall from the floor. WSU turned in a strong first-half shooting performance, including a 8-of-14 (57.14%) mark in the second quarter, but a tough fourth quarter found the Warriors on the wrong end of the 53-49 scoreline
Key Details: University of Sioux Falls 53, Winona State 49
Attendance: 1,019
How it Happened
Down 9-4 after four minutes of play, Winona State's
Olivia Gamoke had a pair of mid-range jumpers sandwiched around a
Emma Carpenter 3-pointer to allow WSU to draw level at 9-9. The two teams would trade baskets the rest of the first quarter with USF scoring last in the frame and taking a 16-14 lead after one.
In the second quarter, Winona State enjoyed their best shooting effort of the game, knocking down 8-of-14 (57.14%) from the floor as a team.
Alex Dornfeld sparked WSU to the strong start with a basket to tie the game at 16-16, which was followed by a
Emma Carpenter score and another Dornfeld bucket. Gamoke followed a triple at the 3:51 mark of the frame, helping Winona State outscore Sioux Falls 20-12 in the quarter.
WSU would take a 6-point advantage into the locker room with a 34-28 lead at the break.
Halftime: Winona State 34, USF 28
Olivia Gamoke and
Ava Sergio both got Winona State off to a strong start in the third quarter, with Sergio knocking down a pair of free throws and Gamoke hitting back-to-back jumpers, including a 3-pointer that gave WSU a six-point lead at 41-35. The Cougars would claw back in the final minutes of the third, trailing by just one as WSU owned a 44-43 lead.
The fourth quarter found Winona State struggling to connect as WSU went just 2-for-. WSU had a pair of quality looks late, facing a 2-point deficet at 51-49, but the ball would not fall the Warrior's way on drives by Markworth and Bretton. USF's Riley Moreland would hit a pair of free throws with 11 seconds to go to compete the 53-49 setback for WSU.
Final: Sioux Falls 53, Winona State
49
Team Stat Notables
USF had 10 points off the bench, while WSU had 1.
The Warriors were out-rebounded 37-28 but had a 3-1 edge in steals.
Winona State shot 57.14% in the second quarter but just 14.29% in the fourth frame.
WSU Stat Leaders
Olivia Gamoke, 22 points, 4-of-4 from behind the arc, 9-of-13 overall, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
Vivica Bretton, 9 points, 5 rebounds
Emma Carpenter, 7 points, 5 rebounds
Beyond the Boxscore
The Warriors and Cougars were tied 11 times in the contest.
WSU has dropped their last two outings to the Cougars.
Winona State will hit the road for the first time in NSIC play next weekend.
Up Next
Winona State (1-6, 1-2 NSIC) will travel to Wayne State College and Augustana University for an NSIC weekend on the road over Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9.
