ABERDEEN, S.D. - The Winona State University women's basketball team traveled west for the final regular season NSIC road trip of the year, taking on Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota on Friday, February 16.
Winona State led at the break, 28-23, but a cold-shooting second half saw the home side Wolves move into a lead five minutes into the second half and eventually defeat WSU, 61-47.
Winona State (8-17, 7-13 NSIC) was led by Mattie Schimenz with 13 points, while Warrior teammate Alex Dornfeld added eight points and seven rebounds.WSU was held to 4-of-29 (13.7%) from the floor in the final two quarters of play.
How it Happened:
Winona State and Northern State were tied 9-9 at the 3:34 mark of the opening quarter when WSU's Olivia Gamoke delivered a 3-pointer to give the Warriors a 12-9 lead. Alex Dornfeld would deliver the final basket of the first 10 minutes, hitting a mid-range jumper in the key with 30 seconds left in the first frame, ending the period with a 17-11 advantage.
WSU would continue to connect in the second quarter, opening up a 10-point Warrior lead on back-to-back baskets from Ava Sergio and Emma Carpenter, setting the scoreboard at 21-11. In a sign of things to come, however, Northern State would net the final six points of the first half, including a Wolves triple from Abbey Holmes with under 20 seconds remaining before the halftime buzzer.
At the Half: WSU 28, Northern State 23
The third quarter saw Winona State go cold from the floor, shooting just 1-for-13 in the run of play. WSU would tally a jumper from Mattie Schimenz midway through the stanza and Hailey Markworth added a free throw followed by a 2-for-2 foul line effort by Kaitlyn Schrimpf moments later, accounting for the only Warrior scoring. In contrast, NSU enjoyed a 22-point third quarter to take a 45-34 lead after three.
In the fourth frame, Vivica Bretton looked to spark a WSU comeback, scoring a layup at the 3:19 mark, followed quickly by a 3-pointer 50 seconds later. Winona State would be unable to further dent the Northern State lead, eventually falling 61-47 in Waxhs Arena.
WSU Stats Standouts:
Mattie Schimenz 13 points
Alex Dornfeld 8 points, 8 rebounds
Team Stats Comparables:
The Northern State bench outscored the Warrior reserves, 22-12
WSU shot 15-of-57 (26.3%) from the field, while NSU was 21-of-58 (36.2%) in the game.
Beyond the Box Score:
NSU earned a sweep of WSU in the 2023-24 season, with a 85-58 win over the Warriors in Winona on January 6.
Alex Dornfeld's double-double streak was stopped at two games, scoring 8 points and grabbing 7 boards.
WSC and WSU are now 5-5 in their last ten meetings.
Up Next:
Winona State (8-16, 7-12 NSIC) return home for their final homestand of the season, for a Friday, February 23 contest against Bemidji State. The Warriors and Beavers will face off at 5:30 p.m. in Winona, Minn. Followed by a game against Minnesota Crookston on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
