MARSHALL, Minn. - The Winona State University women's basketball team had three players reach double-digits in scoring on Saturday against Southwest Minnesota State, but the host Mustangs were able to hold off a fourth-quarter comeback effort to deal the Warriors a 73-64 setback.
Winona State outscored Southwest Minnesota State 25-22 in the fourth quarter but SMSU used a big second-period run to create enough cushion on the scoreboard to offset 18 points from
Lauren Fech and 16 more from
Alex Dornfeld.
Caitlin Riley added 14 points coming off the bench in the road loss, while Dornfeld's 10 rebounds on the night saw her earn a season-high sixth double-double for WSU.
After a deadlocked 13-13 scoreline following the first 10 minutes, Southwest Minnesota State posted a 19-9 second-quarter margin, largely behind the efforts of Bri Stolzman, who had 24 points for the home team. WSU's 25-point fourth quarter included five points from Lindsay Hahn, who hit a three-pointer with 6:33 left to play to pull the Warriors to within six at 55-49.
However, SMSU would earn 12 trips to the free throw line in the time remaining in the game following Hahn's back-to-back buckets and converted on all 12 efforts to hold off Winona State.
WSU shot 25-of-61 (41.0%) from the floor and were 6-of-19 (31.6%) from 3-point territory. The Warriors were 8-of-13 (61.5%) at the free throw line, while SMSU was awarded 24 free throws, hitting 22 in the game. The Mustangs were 16-of-16 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
With the loss, Winona State falls to 10-16 overall, 4-16 in NSIC play, while SMSU moves to 16-9 on the year, 13-7 in league action.
WSU will play their final road game of the 2022-23 regular season at Minnesota State, Mankato on Thursday, Feb. 16. The Warriors and Mavericks are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. in the Taylor Center.
