WINONA, Minn. — The Winona State men's basketball team escaped with a 67-62 win after falling behind by five points at halftime.
The Warriors found themselves in a 26-21 hole after the first 20 minutes. WSU battled in a tightly contested second half and pulled away late to defeat the Beavers by five points.
How it Happened:
Ryan Heise kicked off the contest with a three-pointer at 19:50 assisted by
Aidan Bardic. Buckets by
Tyler Mason and Bardic put WSU up 7-2 at the 17:34 mark. MISU responded with a 9-2 run capped off by a Trey Brandt layup to make it 11-9 Beavers with 11:41 in the first half.
Connor Roffers converted on a tip-in, granting the Warriors a 17-15 edge at the 8:14 mark. Minot State retook the lead after a Kiku Parker Jr. three-ball and a Brandt jumper made it 22-21 MISU with 2:35 left in the half. The Beavers closed the half at 26-21 after two more buckets and a strong defensive presence.
WSU stormed back in the second half to tie the contest at 28-28 following a pair of Mason FTs at 18:18.
Jaron Crews gave Winona State a narrow 35-34 advantage after he drained a three-pointer at 15:58. Bardic connected on a layup at 11:36 to give the Warriors a slim 43-40 edge. Deuce Benjamin cut the game to one possession after he made a three-ball at 7:22, making it 50-48 WSU. A couple of
Tyson Keil free throws extended the Warriors advantage to 56-50 at 4:11. MISU cut the game to five points following a Deuce jumper at 1:16, making it 61-56 Winona State. Mason iced the game with four late game free throws to end the contest at 67-62 Warriors.
Statistical Comparison:
- The Warriors shot 23-of-58 (39.7%) from the field while the Beavers went 24-of-62 (38.7%)
- Winona State connected on seven-of-22 (31.8%) three-pointers with Minot State going two-of-12 (16.7%) from three-point land.
- MISU won the rebound battle 38-35 over the Warriors.
- Mason led WSU with 22 points on six-of-14 shooting and a perfect eight-of-eight from the FT line. Mason added eight rebounds in the win.
- Bardic and Crews each chipped in with 12 points with Gavyn Hurley grabbing eight rebounds.
- Isaiah Alexander led the Beavers with 12 points in the loss.
- Lovasoa Andriatsarafara recorded a double-double grabbing 13 boards and scoring 10 points.
Winona State continues their home stand next week, taking on Wayne State on Thursday, February 5 at 7:30pm in McCown Gymnasium.
