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

The Warriors will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. to play at Augustana University on Thursday, December 18 with tipoff scheduled for 5:30pm. WSU holds a slim 21-19 margin all time against the Vikings with the Warriors winning both of last season's matchups. Winona State will hop back on the bus and head to Wayne, Neb. to play Wayne State on Saturday, December 20 at 1:00pm. WSU is 38-24 all-time against WSC with the Warriors splitting their two contests against them last year.

Winona State Notes:

• Winona State enters the week 3-7 (2-3 NSIC) after defeating Sioux Falls 91-77 and falling to SMSU 76-56.
• 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 161-125 during his tenure with the Warriors. 
• Winona State enters the week averaging 65.6 ppg and giving up 78.8 ppg.
• WSU is 44.6% (242-of-543) from the field and 31.2% (62-of-199) from three-point range. Winona State is third in the NSIC in free throw percentage at a clip of 74.8% (110-of-147).
• Gavyn Hurley is leading the Warriors offensively with 13.7 points per contest on an efficient 47-of-82 shooting (57.3%) from the field. He adds a team-high of 6.4 rebounds per game.
• Tyler Mason comes off a strong week, including a career-high 29 points in the win over Sioux Falls. Mason is second on the team with 11.8 ppg on 44.7% (42-of-94) shooting.
• Ryan Heise is right behind, averaging 11.7 ppg on 50.6% (43-of-85) shooting and a steady 5.7 rpg.
• Following this week, the Warriors will turn the calendar to the new year and host Concordia-St. Paul on January 3 at McCown Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 1:00pm.

 Augustana Notes:

• AUGIE is currently 6-4 (4-1 NSIC) during their first stretch of the 2025-26 season. The Vikings won 76-68 over Minnesota State in their last contest on December 13.
• The Vikings enter the 2025-26 season ranked fifth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 
• Head Coach Cody Schilling is in his second year at the helm of the program, compiling a record of 18-22 in his short tenure.
• Augustana enters the weekend averaging 82.8 points per game while giving up 77.1 points per game.
• Tameron Ferguson leads the AUGIE offensive attack, averaging a team-best 20.4 points and 6.3 assists per game. He is fourth in the NSIC in points per game and leads the conference in assists per game.
• Other players averaging double digit points are Caden Hinker (16.1), Sam Rensch (12.9), and Bennett Fried (10.1).
• Following the game against the Warriors, the Vikings will face Concordia-St. Paul on December 20 at 1:30pm.
   

Wayne State Notes:

• The Wildcats are currently 5-6 (1-4 NSIC) on the year after losing their last contest 93-69 at St. Cloud State on December 13.
• WSC enter the 2025-26 season ranked tenth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 
• Head Coach Jeff Kaminsky is in his 10th season leading the Wildcats men's basketball team. He has compiled a record of 135-131 in his time at the helm of the program. He is first all-time in wins at WSC.
• Wayne State comes into the weekend averaging 78.4 points per game while giving up 75.5 points per contest.
• The Wildcats offense is led by Matt Noll. He leads the squad with 14.2 points per game.
• Other players averaging double figures are Andrew Stokes (12.3) and JJ Ferrin (11.4).
• Before taking on the Warriors, WSC will play Concordia-St. Paul on Thursday, December 18 at 5:30pm.