WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team hosted Northern State University on Saturday, Jan. 6, in a return to NSIC action for the Warriors, tipping off against the Wolves in a 3:30 p.m. game in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court. 

Winona State (9-5, 4-4 NSIC) saw a breakout performance from Olumide Adelodun, scoring 25 points to pace WSU but Northern State used a last-second basket to beat WSU, 77-75. WSU was a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line as a team and out-rebounded NSU 41-34, but the Wolves enjoyed a solid night from behind the arc and a game-winning jumper in the last 10 seconds to escape with the win. 

The high-quality, back-and-forth affair was a part of the Winter Game Day Experience and WSU Employee Appreciation Day.  The Winona State Athletics and the WSU Alumni Office collaboration saw over 1,000 fans turn out for the NSIC doubleheader. 

Final Score: Northern State 77, Winona State 75
Attendance: 1,069

How It Happened
Winona State used a battle-back effort after falling behind 15-7 early on. 

A Declan Dillon 3-pointer at the 14-minute mark was followed by Olumide Adelodun's first bucket of the night, a put-back layup after grabbing a key offensive rebound. Adelodun would score the next two baskets for Winona State, sparking a comeback with his three successive scores.

A pair of made free throws by Adelodun would allow WSU to draw level with NSU at 27-27. Then, back-to-back 3-pointers by WSU, first from Connor Drew followed by Jordan Wilkins, gave the Warriors a one-point lead at 35-34.

Adelodun added a 3-pointer with just under two minutes to play, spotting Winona State a 37-34 lead. NSU's Augustin Reede hit a three-pointer of his own with 12 seconds to create a 37-37 deadlock at the break.

At The Half: Winona State 37, Northern State 37

Carson Arenz started the second half strong from WSU, knocking down a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer in the opening 90 seconds of play.

NSU's Reede would again connect from deep to force another tie score, this time at 42-42.  After a back-and-forth three minutes of action, Reede would hit a triple that answered a Connor Dillon layup which left the teams knotted once more, 48-48.

Winona State's largest lead of the game came when Adelodun completed a three-point play, drawing a foul on a floater in the lane, and converting the free throw for a 56-50 Warrior advantage.

The Wolves would flip the script and go on a run a few minutes later, moving out to a seven-point lead at 71-64, the largest margin for either team in the second half.

However, WSU would chip away at the Northern State lead through a series of baskets, with Connor Drew, Connor Dillon, and Devon Fielding scoring in a 90-second span.

With 25 seconds to go in the game, NSU took a 75-72 lead only to see Olumide Adelodun tie the contest with a long-range three-pointer with just 17 seconds left.

Unfortunately for the Warrior faithful, Northern State would score with under four seconds to play on their final possession, with Josh Dilling hitting a jumper in the lane to give NSU the narrow 77-75 victory.

WSU Stat Standouts
Olumide Adelodun, 25 points, 11 rebounds, 10-of-16 from the floor, 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
Connor Dillon, 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Connor Drew, 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
 
Team Stats Comparables
Beyond the Box Score
Coming off the bench, Olumide Adelodun set Warrior career-best marks in points (25), rebounds (11), and minutes played (22).
Adelodun and Devon Fielding were both 4-of-4 from the foul line in the game.
Northern State's Josh Dilling broke the 1,000-point plateau in his NSU career, scoring 25 against WSU.

Up Next
Winona State (9-5, 4-4 NSIC) will hit the road for a journey north, taking on the University of Minnesota Crookston on January 12 and Bemidji State University on January 13. WSU will tip off at 5:30 pm against the Golden Eagles and 3:30 pm in the battle against the Beavers.
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