MARSHALL, Minn. - The Winona State University women's basketball team looked to carry the momentum of a 68-59 Friday night win over Sioux Falls into their Saturday matinee at Southwest Minnesota State but the host Mustangs used a pair of high-scoring quarters to deal WSU 78-61 loss.
Winona State (6-16, 5-12 NSIC) was led by Alex Dornfeld with 11 points and six rebounds but Southwest Minnesota State was dialed in from beyond the arc, hitting 16 of their 35 three-point attempts.
How it Happened:
Winona State and Southwest Minnesota State both opened the game with a strong offensive presence, with the the two teams trading scoring plays in the first five minutes. WSU's Kaitlyn Schrimpf hit a 3-pointer at the 5:52 mark of the opening quarter, matched moments later when SMSU's Sam Wall connected a triple for the Mustangs to tie the game at 11-11.
Following the media timeout, WSU moved back into the lead with Alex Dornfeld scoring a layup in the paint to give the Warriors a 18-11 advantage. SMSU notched the last bucket of the first frame and the quarter ended with the Warriors leading the Mustangs 18-14.
WSU saw the tide turn in the second quarter, with SMSU closing the gap with an early scoring, knocking down a pair of three pointers and connecting on a layup inside of four minutes.
Eventually, the Mustangs would move into the lead with back-to-back 3-pointers by Sam Wall, giving Southwest Minnesota State a 36-25 lead at the break. For the period, SMSU held Winona State to seven points while scoring 22.
At the Half: SMSU 36, WSU 25
Winona State saw an uptick in offense in the third quarter, scoring 18 points, but SMSU maintained their collective hot hand, scoring 24 across the same time period. Vivica Bretton helped the WSU cause with a layup to open the second half and Ava Sergio added to the Warrior scoreline with bucket in the paint at the seven minute mark of the quarter. However, SMSU hit five 3-pointers in the third to begin to pull away.
In the fourth frame, WSU matched SMSU at both ends of the floor, with both squads scoring 18 points in the final 10 minutes. Stephanie Dasbach and Emma Kilpatrick wrapped up the Warrior scoring with each player knocking down a pair of free throws in the final minute, but the host Mustangs wrapped up the contest handing Winona State a 78-61 setback.
WSU Stats Standouts:
Alex Dornfeld 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Olivia Gamoke 9 points, 4 rebounds
Ava Sergio 9 points, 3 rebounds, 4-of-5 from the floor
Team Stats Comparables:
Winona State was out-rebounded by the Mustangs, 33-31, but WSU had an edge on the offensive glass, 9-5.
At the free throw line, SMSU was 10-of-11, WSU knocked down 10-of-13.
SMSU hit 16-of-35 (45.7%) 3-pointers, while holding WSU to just 5-of-24 (20.8%) in triples.
Beyond the Boxscore:
SMSU and WSU settle for a split on the 2023-24 series, with both teams earning wins at home.
Dating back to February 15, 2020, the two teams sit tied with three wins apiece.
Winona State held a 12-game winning streak over the Mustangs between 2014 and 2020.
Up Next:
Winona State (6-16, 5-12 NSIC) returns home to host Augustana University and Wayne State College next weekend. The Warriors and Vikings will face off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening and Winona State will take on Wayne State at 3:30 p.m.
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