WINONA, Minn.- The Winona State University men's basketball team notched an impressive upset win over third-ranked Minnesota State University Moorhead on Friday, January 26, with the Warriors defeating the Dragons 83-72 in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
Winona State (11-8, 6-7 NSIC) was paced by Connor Dillon who delivered a 27-point performance in leading the Warriors to the key NSIC victory. Brock Voigt added a double-double, scoring 16 points and hauling in 11 rebounds, while Olumide Adelodun added 15 points off the bench. In leaving McCown with a loss, the Dragons suffered just their second setback of the 2023-24 campaign, moving to 17-2 overall, 11-2 in NSIC play.
How it Happened:
Connor Dillon was dialed in from the opening tip as the junior from Peoria, Illinois, knocked down a 3-pointer and followed up his triple with a swipe-and-score layup to put WSU up 7-6 in the opening three minutes of play.
The two teams would trade lead over the first 10 minutes of the contest with Jordan Wilkins and Brock Voigt both connecting on scoring plays to help WSU keep pace with MSUM.
Although the Dragons would eventually move out to an 11-point lead midway through the opening 20 minutes, a Declan Dillon 3-pointer and Brock Voigt put-back helped Winona State stem the tide of the MSUM momentum at an important juncture of the first 20 minutes.
As the half wound down, Olumide Adelodun heated up, scoring a jumper with 3:10 to go in the opening stanza. Connor Dillon would score another 3-pointer moments later and Brock Voigt scored the last bucket of the period to pull WSU level with MSUM 29-29 as the halftime buzzer sounded.
At Half: MSUM 29, Winona State 29
The opening minutes of the second half offered the nearly 1,000 fans in attendance a back-and-forth battle with neither team gaining more than a one-point advantage early on.
With 17:22 to play, Connor Dillon connected on a 3-pointer to give WSU a four-point lead and Connor Drew helped grow the advantage to 10 points when he hit a free throw at 15:43.
MSUM would claw back to within four points with a pair of free throws by Jacob Beeninga moved the scoreboard to 47-43 Warriors. However, Jordan Wilkins, Olumide Adelodun and Connor Dillon would combine to move the WSU lead back to double digits just past the halfway mark of the second half, with WSU up 60-47.
WSU would hold MSUM at bay the rest of the way, although the Dragons would close the gap to just seven points with 90 seconds left, with Owen Hektner hit back-to-back triples for the visitors.
Leading 77-70, Devon Fielding would help WSU ice the win with two made free throws; Warrior teammate Declan Dillon would finish off the Warrior scoring, knocking down two shots from the foul line for the 83-72 Warrior win.
WSU Stats Standouts:
Connor Dillon 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists. 5-of-9 from behind the arc.
Brock Voigt 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, 6-of-7 from the floor.
Olumide Adelodun 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals.
Jordan Wilkins 9 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field.
Declan Dillon 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists.
Team Stats Comparables:
WSU shot a scorching 61.54% from the floor in the second half.
Winona State doubled up MSUM in steals, with 8 Warrior swipes compared to four for the Dragons.
Winona State blocked six Dragon shots, with Brock Voigt claiming three.
Beyond the Boxscore:
WSU and MSUM traded the lead in the contest 11 times.
Winona State snapped a three-game skid against the Dragons.
Combined with a Minnesota State win over SCSU, the Warriors knocked the Dragons out of first place in the NSIC.
Up Next:
Winona State will host St. Cloud State University on Saturday, January 27 in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court. WSU will tip off at 5:30 pm in the battle against the Huskies.
