WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University men's basketball team hosted Bemidji State University for their second game of a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) weekend, defeating the Beavers 80-64. 

The Warriors had four player reach double figures in the contest, with senior Connor Drew leading the way for the second game this weekend, putting up 19 points on 6-9 shooting and 3-5 from beyond the arc. 

How it Happened: 

Isaiah Thompson got Winona State on the board first with an emphatic dunk assisted by Tyler Mason, but BSU responded with a three-pointer from Tate Olson to take an early lead. Trading points for most of the first half WSU saw themselves tied 15-15 at the under ten-minute media timeout. With no team seeing a lead of more than five points, the Warriors would take the lead on a Tyler Mason steal and dunk before the halftime buzzer sounded with WSU up 33-31. 

Winona State would get off to a hot start from beyond the arc with Tyler Mason and Luke Haertle both knocking down threes to begin half number two. Slowly gaining momentum Isaiah Thompson and Jhei-R Jones got into the action as well extending the lead to 15 at the 12:45 mark in the second half. Bemidji State tried to fight back but never got the game under double digits after those points, with WSU extending the lead to as much as 22 on another Connor Drew three-pointer. Winona State would take the game 80-64. 

Team Comparisons: 

• WSU shot 47.4% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range while Bemidji State would shoot 32.3% from the floor and 30% from beyond the arc. 
• The Warriors would out rebound BSU 40-31 in the contest. 
• The Warriors knocked down 16-20 from the free throw line compared to the BSU 12-14. 
• The Beaver bench scored 24 points in comparison to the Winona State 16. 

Statistical Leaders: 

• Connor Drew lead WSU with 19 points and three rebounds. 
• For the second time this season WSU had two players haul in a double-double with Luke Haertle scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds and Isaiah Thompson contributing 12 points and 12 rebounds. 
• Tyler Mason would be the fourth Warrior to reach double figure with 11 points and 4-9 shooting. 
• Tate Olson led the way for BSU with 20 points on 7-14 shooting from the field and 4-8 from three-point range. 

Winona State is next in action on Friday, January 17th at 5:30pm where they face off against St. Cloud State University inside McCown Gymnasium.