WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State women's basketball team beat the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs 84-78 at home.
The Winona State women's basketball team came out with their fourth NSIC win this season against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs to move them to 4-1 in conference play.
How it Happened:
In the first quarter, WSU and SMSU would have a back-and-forth contest with both teams going on runs of their ow. The Mustangs would go on an early 6-0 run followed by a Warrior 9-0 run to make the score 11-6 at the 5:29 mark in favor of Winona State. After baskets from three different shooters for the Mustangs and effective mid-range shots from the Warriors, the score at the end of the quarter would be 15-15.
To finish the first half, both teams would shoot a respectable 8-of-16 (SMSU) and 10-of-15 (WSU). With a total of four lead changes in the quarter, Winona State would take an aggressive approach that would prove successful after drawing six total free throws and hitting five. WSU would score an electric 27 points in the quarter to give themselves a slight 42-35 edge right before half-time.
To start the second half, the Warriors would see their lead grow as large as nine points (48-39) at the 8:32 mark after some tough points in the paint. SMSU would find their own sliver of momentum, holding Winona State to zero field goals in the last four minutes of the third quarter and capitalizing on offense. Thankfully, WSU was able to stay true to their game and hit clutch free throws when they mattered most giving them a 60-59 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
To finish, Winona State would once again be test at the free throw line, shooting 14-of-18 from the charity stripe in just the fourth quarter alone. Any time the Mustangs tried to gather momentum, the Warriors always had the answer giving them a 70-61 lead at the 5:57 mark. There was no looking back for Winona State as they would finish strong as a team and win the match 84-78.
Statistical Comparison:
- Winona State shot 28-of-54 from the field (51.9%) and Southwest Minnesota State shot 28 of 66 (42.4%).
- Both teams were effective from the three-point line when their teams needed them most with WSU shooting 3-8 (37.5%) and SMSU shooting 9-25 (36.0%).
- From the charity stripe, Winona State shot 80.6% compared to Southwest Minnesota State's 92.9%.
- The Warriors dominated the glass, out rebounding the Mustangs 38 to 27.
- The match was extremely back and forth with a total of 8 lead changes.
- Hailey Markworth was the Warriors leading scorer with 27 points. She also recorded six rebounds in the victory.
- Vivica Bretton was a close second in total points with 18 and six rebounds.
- Megan Schuman led Winona State in rebounds, with nine total and recorded 16 points for the team.
- Breah Golden shot 2-of-3 from three-point land, scoring 12 total points for the Warriors.
The Warriors (7-4, 4-1 NSIC) will play next, next weekend on a road trip to Augustana University on Thursday, December 18th at 7:30pm.
