MINOT, N.D. - The Winona State University men's basketball team made the trip to Minot, North Dakota to face off against #5 Minot State University, dropping the game 113-104 in a triple overtime performance.
Four Warriors would reach the 20-point mark in the game with Isaiah Thompson leading the way with a 30 point and 11 rebound double-double, including a game tying shot as time expired in the second overtime.
How it Happened:
Connor Drew put the Warriors on the board first assisted by Tyler Mason. Following that bucket, both teams traded points for a while with the Beavers seeing their largest lead of the first half at 19-13 with a three-pointer coming from Jackson Gunville. Winona State responded with Isaiah Thompson leading the way in the first half, gathering 16 points for the Warriors to end the half up 43-36.
Half number two would begin with four quick points from Luke Haertle, but two Beaver three-pointers kept MSU within an arm's length of the Warriors. Finding themselves trading points once again the Warriors took a 30 second timeout up two with just under ten minutes to play. With 21 seconds left the Warriors found themselves up three points after a made free throw from Jhei-R Jones, but MSU knew the Warriors were going to foul and chucked up a three-pointer from the volleyball line earning three free throws and tying the game up. As time expired WSU would miss a last second shot sending the game into overtime.
Isaiah Thompson got on the board first in overtime with a step back jumper, but the inside presence of Caleb Van De Griend extended the Minot State lead to four points with just under a minute to play in overtime. After a quick Beaver turnover Luke Haertle knocked down a huge three-pointer with 28 seconds left, leading the Warriors to foul down one with Jalen Cook knocking down both free throws. Winona State then came down and got a game tying three from freshman Tyler Mason tying the game up at 83 apiece, sending the game into another overtime.
Minot State's Jalen Cook started the second overtime with two made threes, leading Winona State to fight uphill the second overtime, but keeping the game to a one possession game. With WSU down 95-92, Jhei-R Jones would bring the ball up the court with 10 seconds left and get fouled on a three-point attempt making two of three free throws and then instantly fouling on the inbound. Ayouba Berthe got sent to the charity stripe and knocked down both shots. With time winding down, Jones got off a good shot but missed, and a Connor Drew offensive rebound and quick kick out to Isaiah Thompson who knocked down a game tying three-pointer as time expired sending the game into a third overtime in this instant classic.
MSU started the third overtime with six unanswered points before Haertle would get the Warriors on the board. After a multitude of Van De Griend points, including a three-pointer, WSU saw themselves down nine points with 32 seconds left in overtime and eventually dropping the game 104-113.
Team Comparisons:
- Winona State shot 43% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc, while MSU shot 44.6% from the floor and 34.1% from three-point range.
- Minot State out rebounded Winona State 49-46.
- WSU's largest lead of the game was ten while Minot State's was nine.
- The Warriors held the lead for 29:29 while the Beavers had the lead for 17:44.
Statistical Leaders:
- The Warriors had four players above 20 points in the contest.
- Isaiah Thompson led WSU with 30 points and 11 rebounds.
- Luke Haertle collected a double-double himself with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
- Jhei-R Jones was almost the third Warrior with a double-double earning 20 points and nine rebounds.
- Minot's Caleb Van De Griend had a monstrous game, having 33 points and a new Minot State single-game rebounding record with 22 rebounds.
The Warriors next see play on Saturday, January 4 at 5:30pm where they face off against the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
