WAYNE, Neb. - The Winona State University men's basketball team faced off against Wayne State College to end the Warriors Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) weekend, dropping the game 63-68.
Connor Drew led the Warriors with 15 points on 4-9 shooting, knocking down two threes and hauling in seven rebounds.
How it Happened:
Luke Haertle would get on the board first for the Warriors knocking down a jumper, followed by two three pointers from Connor Drew and Tyler Mason, jumping out to an early 8-0 lead. Winona State would keep the Wildcats at bay until after the 10 minute media timeout with a three from Kai Smith to tie the game at 19 a piece. Wayne State would extend the lead to eight points before the halftime buzzer would sound.
The second half would begin with a three pointer from Wayne State's Matt Noll, but a Haertle layup would quickly respond for the Warriors. The Wildcats and Warriors would battle back and forth with WSC extending the lead to 12, but a small run from the Warriors would cut the lead to two points with 1:31 left in the game. A JJ Ferrin three pointer and a Kai Smith dunk from Wayne State would all but put the Warriors away, with WSC winning 69-63.
Team Comparison:
- The Warriors had 13 points off turnovers compared to the Wildcats 14 points.
- WSC would outscore WSU's bench 26-2.
- Winona State grabbed 33 rebounds, five more than Wayne State.
- Winona State would shoot 40.4% from the field, the lowest mark of the season so far for the Warriors.
Statistical Leaders:
- Connor Drew led Winona State with 15 points shooting 4-9 from the floor.
- All five Warriors starters would get in double digit scoring for the game.
- Kai Smith led WSC with 17 points, playing a perfect game going 6-6 from the floor, 2-2 from three-point range, and 3-3 from the charity stripe.
- Both Connor Drew and Jhei-R Jones would grab seven rebounds.
- Isaiah Thompson would lead WSU with eight rebounds.
Winona State (7-2, 2-1 NSIC) is next in action on Friday, December 13 at 7:30pm where they face off against Sioux Falls inside McCown Gymnasium home of WNB Financial Court.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
