WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University women's basketball team used a new-look lineup to match up with Augustana University on Friday, Feb. 3 and nearly pulled of the upset, thanks in part to strong performances from
Mattie Schimenz and
Lauren Fech, before eventually falling to the Vikings, 79-71.
Augustana University entered McCown Gymnasium in search of their 20th win overall on the year and with a 13-3 NSIC mark. Winona State was looking to snap a five-game losing streak against the Vikings and move up the ladder in the NSIC South standings.
In the first quarter, WSU fell behind 9-2 until Vanessa Alexander and Lauren Fech scored on back-to-back possessions to draw the Warriors into the contest at 9-7. Fech and Alex Dornfeld both scored late in the opening ten minutes to pull Winona State to within four at 19-15 at the end of the opening stanza.
In the second ten minutes of action, Schimenz worked to bring WSU to within one point at 19-18 with a three-point play after being fouled on a driving layup. Paige Peaslee - making her first career Warrior start - then connected on a jumper to give the Warriors their first lead of the game at 23-21. Following a 10-point run by the visitors, head coach Ana Wurtz saw her team pull back to within two on a Schimenz free throw late, before Augustana's Michaela Jewett hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to send the Vikings into the locker room with a 38-33 lead.
After the break, WSU saw Shea Dechant connect on a free throw early on and Schimenz score a pair of baskets, while Augustana struggled to regain their scoring touch. Dechant and Schimenz added six more points combined during the third quarter run for the Warriors, and the home team continued to chip away at the Vikings lead until a pair of successful free throws by the Vikings Aby Phipps pushed the Augustana margin to 56-52 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth frame, Augustana was able to pull away on an early 3-pointer by Jewett and convert several free throws down the stretch to hold off the Warrior upset bid. Augustana scored their final seven points of the contest from the foul line to deal Winona State the 79-71 loss.
As a team, Winona State was 28-of-64 (43.8%) overall from the floor and hit 7-of-26 (26.9%) from behind the arc.
WSU was 8-of-13 (61.5%) at the foul line, while the Vikings were 11-of-13 (84.6%) on free throws. Augustana held a 36-31 edge in rebounds, while the Warrior bench outscored the Viking reserves, 17-12.
Winona State was led in scoring by Mattie Schimenz with a season-high 24 points and Lauren Fech added 18 on the night Fech also led WSU in rebounds with eight, while both Fech and Schimenz had four assists.
The Vikings were paced by Michela Jewett with 24 points, while teammate Aislinn Duffy added 20. Duffy also had seven rebounds for Augustana. The visitors shot 28-of-69 (40.6%) overall in the contest.
With the loss, Winona State falls to 10-13 overall and 4-13 in the NSIC. The Warriors return to action on Saturday, Feb. 4 when they host Wayne State College. The Warriors and Wildcats will tip off at 5:30 p.m. in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
