WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University women's basketball team took care of business and claimed a NSIC weekend sweep on Saturday, defeating Wayne State College 70-59 in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
Winona State (8-16, 7-12 NSIC) was led by Alex Dornfeld with 14 points and 12 rebounds - her second consecutive double-double - while Warrior teammates Emma Carpenter and Hailey Markworth scored 10 points each. Mattie Schimenz dished out seven assists and Ava Sergio hauled in five rebounds, including three on the offensive glass.
How it Happened:
Winona State and Wayne State both came out firing in the first quarter, as the Warriors and Wildcats found themselves tied three times in the opening eight minutes. WSU was able to pull away in the final 90 seconds of the opening stanza when Alex Dornfeld scored back-to-back layups to move ahead 16-10. WSC would use a pair of free throws - two of just five awarded in the game to the visitors, to close the gap to 16-12 after one.
A big second quarter set the table for Winona State, as the home side used an 8-0 run inside the eight minute mark to claim the first double-digit lead of the evening, 24-14. Ava Sergio and Hailey Markworth had key contributions over that stretch, followed quickly by a Kaitlyn Schrimpf three-pointer at the two minute mark. As the half wound down, Emma Carpenter would hit a buzzer-beating three pointer to give WSU a 37-24 halftime lead and momentum heading into the locker room.
At the Half: WSU 37, Wayne State 24
While the Warriors significantly out-scored the Wildcats in the second quarter, the third frame saw Wayne State flip the script, scoring 17 points while holding the home team to 14. Ava Sergio helped to snap a WSC scoring streak near the midway point of the third quarter, completing a three-point play after drawing a foul in the paint on a layup. Vanessa Alexander connected on a triple at the 4:30 mark of the period to help WSU keep pace.
In the fourth quarter, Alex Dornfeld and Mattie Schimenz helped Winona State start strong in the final ten minutes, with Dornfeld draining a pair of free throws and Schimenz hitting a triple in the first two WSU possessions. Solid Warrior defense held Wayne State at bay enough to maintain a double-digit lead as the game wound down, with Emma Carpenter connecting on two trips to the line with 24 seconds remaining to seal the 70-59 Warrior win.
WSU Stats Standouts:
Alex Dornfeld 14 points, 12 rebounds, 6th double-double of the season
Hailey Markworth 10 points, 3 rebounds
Emma Carpenter 10 points
Ava Sergio 9 points, 5 rebounds, 5-of-7 at the line
Team Stats Comparables:
Wayne State held the edge in steals, 4-1, and blocked shots, 4-0.
WSU shot 19 free throws, making 15, while the Wildcats were 5-of-6 from the line.
Winona State nearly doubled-up Wayne State on the boards, with WSU hauling in 40 boards, while WSC had 26.
Beyond the Box Score:
WSU completes the sweep on the weekend, with Warrior wins over Augustana 64-52 & Wayne State 70-59
The Warriors also secure a sweep of the 2023-24 series vs. the Wildcats, having beat WSC 61-43 in December.
WSC and WSU are now 3-3 in their last six meetings.
Up Next:
Winona State (8-16, 7-12 NSIC) will travel to Northern State University for a Friday, February 16 contest. The Warriors and Wolves will face off at 5:30 p.m. in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
