TOPEKA, Kan. Winona State men's basketball suffered a season ending 70-59 loss to MSU Moorhead in the NCAA Central Region semifinals.
 
The Warriors were able to keep the Dragons within reach with gritty defense, but WSU shot 33.3% from the field and 4-22 from beyond the arc. Seniors Connor Drew, Jhei-R Jones, and Isaiah Thompson end their careers after leading Winona State to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in over a decade.
 
How It Happened:
Winona State and MSU Moorhead exchanged scores in the opening eight minutes before MSUM went on an 8-1 run to take a 21-13 lead at the 9:25 mark in the first half. The Warriors played strong defense, holding the Dragons to 4-15 shooting from deep in the first but WSU was just 3-13 themselves.
 
The Warriors brought it within five with two minutes remaining in the half before the Dragons held a 33-24 advantage at the break. MSUM was 9-10 on free throws in the first 20 minutes while WSU was 3-8. Both teams took care of the ball as the Warriors committed just three turnovers and forced four Dragon turnovers in the first.
 
Winona State got down 12 early in the second, but a quick 9-0 run brought WSU within three points. MSUM found a layup in the paint to stop the bleeding before a Luke Haertle free throw and a Jhei-R Jones jumper got the Warriors within two points for the first time since halfway through the first half.
 
MSU Moorhead answered right back to stretch the game to double figures and Winona State was unable to get it within six points the rest of the game. A late push was not enough as the Dragons made their free throws down the stretch to defeat the Warriors 70-59.
 
Statistical Leaders:

• Luke Haertle led WSU with 23 points and nine rebounds.
• Jhei-R Jones scored 10 points for Winona State.
• Isaiah Thompson scored nine points, Tyler Mason notched five, and Connor Drew scored four.
• Carson Johnson led all scorers with 26 points for MSUM.

Team Comparison:

• Winona State shot 20-60 (.333) from the field and 4-22 (.182) from deep. The Dragons went 21-52 (.404) from the field and 8-28 (.286) from beyond the arc.
• The Dragons outrebounded the Warriors 40-31, but WSU held a five-point advantage on second chance points.
• WSU went 15-22 from the free throw line and MSUM went 20-23.
• The Warriors committed just three turnovers and forced nine MSUM turnovers in the game.

 
Winona State ends their season with a 22-11 record and the program's 11th appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament, including their second consecutive 20-win season and first NCAA Tournament under head coach Todd Eisner.
 
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
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