KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Winona State University men's basketball team started off their regular season at the 2024 Central Region Challenge, where they faced off against the host school Pittsburg State University, winning 75-60.
Head coach Todd Eisner and the Warriors are coming off an impressive 21-10 season last year and the Gorillas saw a similar record at 21-11 reaching the first round of the NCAA DII Regionals.
How it happened:
With Connor Drew getting on the board first for the Warriors, with a layup and two free throws WSU would not look back, never giving up another lead for the rest of the game. After the 10-minute media timeout in the first half the Warriors would go on a 20-0 run highlighted by a barrage of three pointers from Arius Alijosius, Connor Drew, and Tyler Mason. The Warriors would be up 39-12 after that run ended with a jumper by PSU's Avery Taggart. Luke Haertle would end the half with a layup with WSU up 48-23.
The second half would see Pitt State trying to get back into the game, beginning the half on a 14-3 run. The Warriors would keep the Gorillas at bay the whole second half, with Alijosius knocking down two more three pointers when PSU saw themselves trying to crawl back into the contest. Winona State would end up winning 75-60
Individual Leaders:
- Connor Drew led the Warriors with 17 points on 4-7 shooting.
- Isaiah Thompson collected 12 points and 11 rebounds for the first Warrior double-double of the season.
- Luke Haertle collected 15 points, eight rebounds and a team-high four assists.
- WSU had five players reach double figures in the game.
- Arius Alijosius went a perfect 4-4 from deep in 13 minutes of action.
Team Comparison:
- Winona State would shoot 52.2% from the field while holding Pitt State to 33.3%.
- WSU and PSU would both make eight three-pointers in the contest, with the Warriors shooting only 18 compared to the Gorillas 38 three-point attempts.
- Pittsburg State would have 11 turnovers compared to the Warriors 16 turnovers.
- Both teams would see similar bench points with 18 points coming from the WSU bench and 16 points coming from PSU's bench.
Winona State is next in action on Saturday, November 9 at 5pm where they face off against the Henderson State Reddies inside the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
