WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State men's basketball team opens the season with an exhibition game against Saint Mary's University inside McCown Gymnasium on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 4pm.

The contest will be the fifth straight year in which the Cardinals and Warriors will face off in an exhibition match to begin their seasons. 

Winona State Notes: 

• Last season, WSU finished 22-11 overall and 14-8 within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. 
• The Warriors enter the 2025 season ranked ninth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 
• The Winona State offense averaged 74.4 points per game while giving up 69.6 on average last season. 
• WSU opens the season in Pittsburg, Kansas, facing Southern Arkansas University on Friday, November 14th at 1:00 p.m.
• Tyler Mason started all 33 games last year for the squad, averaging 9.6 points per game and 3.2 rebounds per contest.
• Nick Taylor returns after competing in all 33 games a year ago, averaging 3.8 points per game.
• Sophomore transfer Ryan Heise, has been named the Winona State Player to Watch in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
• The Warriors return Johnny Papadakos, Nick Taylor, Tyler Mason, Connor Roffers, and Tyson Keil who all saw minutes last season. 
• Tyler Borowski, Gavyn Hurley, Caleb Johnson, and Jackson Hayes all return to the 2025-26 roster as well.
• Winona State brings in talent from other programs this season with Joevonn McCottry, Jaron Crews, Kaiden Space, and Kayden Wells all coming in as transfers from respective programs.  

Saint Mary's Notes:

• Last year, Saint Mary's finished the season with a record of 6-19 and 2-14 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play.
• Khai Branham was the team's sharpshooter last season, with a three-point percentage of 42.7%. Branham is the Cardinals top scorer returning from last year at a tote of 10.0 points per game.
• The Cardinals averaged 69.3 points per game last season while allowing an average of 77.4 a game. 
• Saint Mary's will kick off their regular season at home against Carthage College on Saturday, November 8th at 4:00pm.