WINONA, Minn.- The Winona State University women's basketball team used a hot start to take an early lead over Minnesota State University Moorhead on Friday, January 26 in the NSIC showdown between the Warriors and Dragons.
Winona State (5-13, 4-9 NSIC) saw Olivia Gamoke start strong in the first quarter and WSU led 14-10 after the first frame, but MSU Moorhead would climb back into the game and deal the Warriors a 75-62 loss.
How it Happened:
Olivia Gamoke connected from deep just 30 seconds into the game and followed up her 3-pointer with a driving layup moments later to spot WSU a 5-0 lead early on.
WSU would hold MSUM to just 4-of-16 shooting in the first quarter and owned a 14-10 lead after the opening 10 minutes of play.
In the second quarter, the Dragons shook off their sluggish start to climb back into the game, going on a 8-0 run following an Emma Carpenter 3-pointer that had given WSU a seven-point lead.
Vivica Bretton snapped the MSUM scoring streak with a jumper with 5:11 to go in the quarter. However, the Dragons would eventually surpass the Warriors at the to earn a nine-point lead near the end of the second quarter.
Alex Dornfeld would tally a bucket in the point with under 30 seconds before the half, moving the scoreboard to 31-24 in favor of MSUM.
At Half: MSUM 31, Winona State 24
As in the first frame, WSU started the third quarter well, with Emma Carpenter hitting a 3-pointer to open the second half of play and Warrior teammate Alex Dornfeld quickly followed with layup in transition.
The third quarter spark was short-lived however, as MSUM would go on 16-2 run in the middle of the period to pull away. Although Ava Sergio and Hailey Markworth scored around the five minute mark of the quarter, the Dragons would take a commanding lead at 58-42 following 30 minutes of play.
In the fourth quarter, WSU knocked down a pair of three-point attempts, with Linsdey Hahn scoring from long range with 4:01 to go, shortly after teammate Olivia Gamoke had hit a triple moments earlier.
WSU sought to chip into the Dragon advantage with a run late, as Hahn would hit another 3-pointer with under three minutes to play and Paige Peaslee added a pair of layups in the same time frame. However, MSUM would close out the contest with a pair of triples from the Dragon bench, eventually securing a 75-62 win over the Warriors.
WSU Stats Standouts:
Olivia Gamoke 12 points, 2 blocks, 2 assists
Emma Kilpatrick 8 points, 3-of-5 from the floor, 2-of-2 at the line
Alex Dornfeld 7 points, 9 rebounds
Team Stats Comparables:
MSUM went to the line 14 times, hitting 12, while WSU was 5-of-6 on free throws.
WSU had a narrow advantage on the glass, out-rebounding the Dragons 39-38.
Winona State blocked six Dragon shots, but MSUM had five players reach double-digits in scoring.
Beyond the Boxscore:
Friday's game was the first home contest for WSU following two weekends of long-distance travel in NSIC play.
WSU owns a 3-2 advantage over MSUM in the last five, but the Dragons have won two straight.
In the past 19 games between the two teams, the Dragons and Warriors have combined for exactly 1,300 points.
Up Next:
Winona State (5-13, 4-9 NSIC) will host St. Cloud State University on Saturday, January 27 in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court. WSU will tip off at 3:30 pm in the battle against the Huskies.
