WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State men's basketball team continues their 2025-26 regular season with two home NSIC matchups.

The Warriors will host Sioux Falls on Saturday, December 13 at 5:00pm. WSU is 11-13 all time against the Mavericks with the Warriors winning last season's matchup 71-65 in McCown Gymnasium. Winona State will stay at home to play Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00pm. WSU is 77-44 all-time against SMSU with the Warriors splitting the two contests against them last year.

WSU is excited to announce all ticketing will be fully digital this year. All fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online before arriving at the venue. Cash will not be accepted at the gate.

Winona State Notes:

• Winona State enters the week 2-6 (1-2 NSIC) after defeating Minnesota State 83-75 at home. The Warriors then lost 84-50 at St. Cloud State.
• The Warriors enter the 2025-26 season ranked ninth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 
• Head Coach Todd Eisner is in his 11th season at the helm of the program. He is 160-124 during his tenure with the Warriors. 
• Winona State enters the week averaging 63.6 ppg and giving up 79.4 ppg.
• WSU is 42.9% (186-of-434) from the field and 29.4% (47-of-160) from three-point range. Winona State leads the NSIC in free throw percentage at a clip of 79.6% (90-of-113).
• Gavyn Hurley is leading the Warriors offensively with 13.8 points per contest on an efficient 42-of-74 shooting (56.8%) from the field. He adds a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game.
•  Ryan Heise is right behind, averaging 12.3 points a game on 49.3% (36-of-73) shooting and a steady 5.4 rpg.
• Tyler Mason averages 9.3 points per game while Aidan Bardic adds 8.3 ppg and a team-high 2.5 assists per game.
• Following this week, the Warriors hit the road playing at Augustana University on Thursday, December 18 at 5:30pm. On December 20, WSU travels to Wayne, Nebraska to take on Wayne State at 1:00pm.

 
 Sioux Falls Notes:

• USF is currently 2-6 (0-3 NSIC) during their first stretch of the 2025-26 season. The Cougars dropped a 108-106 contest against Augustana University in their last contest on December 6.
• The Cougars enter the 2025-26 season ranked eighth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 
• Head Coach Chris Johnson is in his 18th year with the team, compiling a record of 301-232 in his tenure. He has led the program to six 20-win seasons.
• Sioux Falls enters the weekend averaging 82.9 points per game while giving up 81.5 points per game.
• Taylon Ashley leads a balanced offensive attack, averaging a team-best 18.5 points and three assists per game.
• Other players averaging double digit points are Brandon Hrncir (13.4), Kyle Ingwerson (13.3), and Brogan Madson (13.0).
• Following the game against the Warriors, the Cougars will face (RV) Concordia-St. Paul on December 14 at 2:00pm.
   

Southwest Minnesota State Notes:

• The Mustangs are currently 4-4 (2-1 NSIC) on the year after winning their last matchup 104-68 against North Central on December 8.
• Head Coach Brad Bigler is in his 17th season leading the Huskies men's basketball team. He has compiled a record of 265-203 in his time at the helm of the program. He is first all-time in wins at SMSU.
• SMSU comes into the weekend averaging 75.1 points per game while giving up 74.1 points per contest.
• The Mustangs offense runs through Jakob Braaten. He leads the squad in ppg (16.1), rpg (5.9), and apg (5.5).
• Other Mustangs averaging double figures are Aeron Stevens (14.4), Mekhi Shaw (10.9), and Michah Schlaak (10.6).
• Before taking on the Warriors, SMSU will play (RV) Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, December 13 at 5:00pm.