WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University women's basketball team will travel to Minnesota State University Moorhead for a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) first round playoff game Wednesday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. in Nemzek Fieldhouse Moorhead, Minn.
Fans, please note NSIC Tournament ticket prices are as follows: $10 General Admission, $2 Students, Children under 5 are free. Ticket prices are set by the NSIC and regular season passes do not apply to NSIC Tournament contests.
Minnesota State University Moorhead and Winona State faced off already this season, where the Warriors were defeated at home by the Dragons 75-62.
Within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) postseason picture, the winner of Wednesday's contest will move on to the quarterfinal round at the Sanford Pentagon. There, Minnesota State University Mankato awaits, having earned the first-round bye. MSUM will face the winner of WSU and MSUM at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday March 2.
Postseason Prognostications:
Dornfeld Dominance ... Alex Dornfeld has been a key part of the Warriors offense this season, averaging 9.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Dornfeld's 7.5 rpg is good for fourth in the NSIC. The Markesan, Wis. native is shooting 37.1% from the field and 67.4% at the line.
Survive and Advance ... It is officially postseason play and the NSIC Tournament is a single-elimination bracket, so each game could potentially be the last. The winner between the Warriors and Dragons will advance to take on Minnesota State University Mankato at 4:30pm on Saturday, March 2 in the NSIC Tournament quarterfinals at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
NSIC Tournament History ... Winona State won the NSIC Tournament one time in 2011, when Head Coach Ana Wurtz was a graduate assistant at the time. They last played in the NSIC Tournament in 2022 where they were defeated by Bemidji State 63-51 at Bemidji.
GAME & FAN INFORMATION
WINONA STATE STORYLINES
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WSU is 10-17 on the year, 9-13 in NSIC play.
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WSU is shooting 37.9% as a team from the floor.
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The Warriors are averaging 57.9 points/game and conceding 63.5 points per outing.
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Leading the Warriors on the season is Alex Dornfeld with 9.3 points per game.
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Dornfeld leads the team in rebounding at 7.5 rpg.
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Mattie Schimenz leads the team in assists (43) with playing only 19 games so far this season.
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Emma Carpenter is first on the team in three points makes with 39 on the year.
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Carpenter leads the team in steals (21) on the year.
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Head coach Ana Wurtz is in her second season at Winona State.
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MOORHEAD STORYLINES
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The Dragons enter the weekend at 12-15 overall and 12-10 in the NSIC.
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Moorhead enters the NSIC Tournament as the 8th seed.
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Winona State holds a 10-10 record vs. MSUM dating back to January, 2009.
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The Warriors and Dragons faced off earlier this season with the Warriors falling 62-75.
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In their most recent outing, MSUM defeated SMSU 70-66.
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As a team, MSUM is shooting 38.2% from the floor and 68.3% at the line.
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MSUM hits 29.5% of their three-point attempts.
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Natalie Jens is averaging 14.6 points per game for the Dragons
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Karla Nelson is in her 24th season as head coach for the Dragons.
Warrior Notables:
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The Warriors were selected 12th overall in the 2023-24 NSIC Coaches Poll. This season marks the first single-division format within NSIC basketball.
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Head coach Ana Wurtz and assistant coaches Hannah McGlone and Emily Kieck are the only all-female coaching staff in the NSIC that also competed at their alma mater as student-athletes.
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The first Winona State women's basketball season was in 1973-74, with the squad going 9-5 overall.
For the most up-to-date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
