WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State women's basketball team won in overtime against the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons
Winona State women's basketball team was able to hold on to their narrow lead as they beat their eighth conference opponent, the MSUM Dragons, in overtime in McCown Gymnasium.
How it Happened:
To start the game,
Vivica Bretton made the first bucket followed by a tough floating jump shot from
Hailey Markworth to give the Warriors an early 5-2 lead. But the Dragons would catch fire taking a 9-7 lead at the 3:56 minute mark after a floating jump shot from Caylin Kelly. With a couple of tough buckets from both teams, the score would be 14-11 going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Winona State found themselves on a 7-2 run to start the quarter giving them a 20-16-point lead at the 7:08 mark. WSU was able to control their lead and after a pair of free throws from Bretton and a three-point jumper from
Natalie Meaux, the Warriors were able to go into halftime with a 38-35-point lead.
To start the second half Winona State capitalized on their first two possessions to give them one of their largest leads of the night (43-35). However, MSUM was able to bounce back scoring seven straight points and taking a 49-46 point led with 2:21. This game was your textbook back and forth battle with the score going into the final quarter of play being all tied up at 52-52.
To finish, the Warriors and Dragons both shot electric three-point shots, but WSU would have multiple opportunities at the free throw line giving them a 66-61-point lead with 5:17 remaining. Matching the energy of this whole game, the Dragons went on a run of their own, taking a small 70-68 lead. To end regulation, MSUM would hit a clutch midrange jumper to take the lead with three seconds remaining. Winona State, with their backs against the wall, would draw up a perfect play that would push them to overtime with a score of 72-72.
Winona State was able to control overtime completely at the charity stripe. After a three-point jumper from
Sadie Jarmolowicz, WSU would score five straight free throws after a technical foul called on MSUM's head coach with 12 seconds remaining. WSU would find themselves in the winning column with a score of 84-80.
Statistical Comparison:
- The Warriors shot 28-of-59 (47.5%) from the field while the Dragons went 32-of-64 (50.0%)
- Winona State shot a solid 10-of-26 (38.5%) from deep with MSU Moorhead going six-of-14 (42.9%) from three-point land.
- From the free throw line, WSU went 18-of-20 (90.0%) while the Dragons shot 10-of-16 (62.5%) from the charity stripe.
- MSUM edged out the glass, outrebounding WSU 35-30.
- Markworth led WSU in scoring with 27 points on a perfect three-of-three from the free throw line, two-of-five from deep and 11-of-20 from the field.
- Bretton added a strong 22 points on seven-of-15 shooting with Jarmolowicz notching 21 points in the win.
- The Dragons were led by Ashton Safranski with 22 points on nine-of-15 shooting.
- Caylin Kelly chipped in with 13 points.
Winona State will be in action next against Northern State University on Friday, January 16th at 7:30pm as they start their long road trip test.
