WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State women's basketball team beat the University of Sioux Falls Cougars 77-68.
The Winona State women's basketball team beat the Sioux Falls Cougars in a late game thriller, 77-68 after a solid team defensive performance and clutch free throws.
How it Happened:
After two threes from
Sadie Jarmolowicz in Winona State's first few possessions, WSU was able to take an early 10-6 lead at the 5:38 mark in the first quarter. Winona State's effectiveness in defense this season continued as they would hold the Cougars to eight points in the first quarter and finish on a 16-2 run making the score 21-8 after one.
The second quarter, however, would belong to Sioux Falls. The Cougars would hold the Warriors to 10 points in the quarter while shooting over 70% from the field as a team and simultaneously going 5-for-5 from the charity stripe. With great shooting from USF, combined with a three-point halftime buzzer beater from USF's Gracie Traphagen the Cougars would go into the locker down 30-31 but with all the momentum going into the second half.
Coming out of the locker room, Winona State and Sioux Falls would find themselves in a classic back and forth match. There was a total of four lead changes in the third quarter alone. Both teams would be aggressive in the paint with WSU drawing seven and USF drawing four personal fouls, this is where Winona State would separate themselves. Both teams were unsuccessful from three-point land in the third but with the Warriors free throw capabilities they were able to take a 55-52 lead going into the final quarter of play.
In the final quarter of the game Winona State took advantage early, scoring on all four of their possessions to give them a 64-54 lead at the 7:29 mark. The Cougars would claw their way back into contention after a dry spell from the Winona State offense and back-to-back three-point jumpers from USF. The game's final score would come down to free throws and Winona State was on top, going 7-for-10 and securing the 77-68 victory.
Statistical Comparison:
- Winona State shot 27 of 61 from the field (44.3%) and Sioux Falls shot 28 of 56 (50.0%).
- Both teams were effective from the three-point line when their teams needed them most with WSU shooting 4-17 (23.5%) and USF shooting 3-16 (18.8%).
- From the charity stripe, Winona State shot 73.1% compared to Sioux Falls' 90.0%.
- The Warriors dominated the glass, out rebounding the Cougars 35 to 24.
- The match was extremely back and forth with a total of nine lead changes, half of those coming from the third quarter.
- Hailey Markworth was the Warriors leading scorer with 24 points. She also recorded seven rebounds to round out her stat line.
- Vivica Bretton was a close second in total points with 20 and three rebounds.
- Megan Schuman led Winona State in rebounds, with eight total and was third on the Warriors in points with 14.
The Warriors will play next tomorrow afternoon against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs at 4:00pm in McCown Gymnasium.
