DULUTH, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team won in an overtime thriller against the University of Minnesota Duluth, winning 72-71 on a pair of free throws from sophomore
Luke Haertle.
The Warriors saw themselves down 20 points a little over halfway through the second half, but a surge of points coming from multiple Warriors, brought the game to overtime with WSU eventually sealing the game with a big block late from
Isaiah Thompson.
How it Happened:
Winona State would start off ice cold in the game with UMD jumping out to an early 12-0 lead before a
Connor Drew jumper would put the Warriors on the board. WSU would struggle most of the first half shooting, not coming within less the six points of the Bulldogs, ending the half at 32-22. Winona State shot 26.7% from the field and 15.4% from three-point territory in the first half.
The second half began with the Warriors down 10 points, but five quick points from
Jhei-R Jones and
Luke Haertle brought the game to seven points. Duluth would go on a run from the first media timeout to the second extending the lead to 20 points at 33-53. Ending that run would be
Devon Fielding knocking down a three-pointer and from there Winona State would go on a run of there own, taking the lead after an and-one from
Tyler Mason on a backdoor pass from Haertle. Trading points back and fourth, the Warriors would find themselves down two points with under five seconds to go in the game and
Luke Haertle would drive in for a contested layup, hitting it with 1.1 seconds left in the game sending the contest into overtime.
The Bulldogs would strike first in overtime with a shot made by Joshua Brown of UMD followed by a layup from Nick Katona. A
Connor Drew three-pointer would put the Warriors on the board in, with both teams battling back and fourth.
Luke Haertle free throws would put WSU up one with under 20 seconds to go. UMD would try to respond with Charlie Katona driving in for a layup, but
Isaiah Thompson would come in for a game saving block with .1 seconds left ending the game after a tip in attempt from the Bulldogs, 72-71.
Team Comparisons:
- The Warriors shot 35.8% from the field while UMD shot 40.6% for the game, but WSU held an edge on the offensive glass grabbing 14 compared to the Bulldogs nine.
- Winona State went 82.4% from the line while Minnesota Duluth would shoot 55.6%.
- The Bulldogs held the lead for 40 minutes and 28 seconds of the game.
- The Warriors collected three more assists then the Bulldogs (12 assists to 9).
Statistical Leaders:
- Luke Haertle led the Warriors with 21 points, gathering a team high 11 rebounds, and five assists.
- Jhei-R Jones would be next up for WSU with 14 points and eight rebounds.
- Charlie Katona led Minnesota Duluth with 21 points on 7-19 shooting and 4-6 from the line.
- Isaiah Thompson collected nine points, nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal on the day.
Winona State (9-3, 4-2 NSIC) is next in action at home on Saturday, December 21 at 3pm where they face off against Minnesota State University, Mankato in the Warriors final contest in 2024.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:
www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and
@WinonaStateATH.
